The blue dacnis or turquoise honeycreeper is a small passerine bird. This member of the tanager family is found from Nicaragua to Panama, on Trinidad, and in South America south to Bolivia and northern Argentina. It is widespread and often common, especially in parts of its South American range.
Region
Central and South America (Neotropics)
Typical Environment
Occurs from Nicaragua through Panama, on Trinidad, and widely across northern and central South America south to Bolivia and northern Argentina. Favors forest edges, clearings, riverine woodland, and second growth, as well as plantations and city parks with tall trees. Most activity is in the mid- to upper canopy, but it will descend to forage at fruiting shrubs. It adapts well to disturbed habitats provided there is tree cover and a steady supply of fruit and flowers.
Altitude Range
0–1800 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Also called the turquoise honeycreeper, the blue dacnis is a small tanager noted for striking sexual dimorphism: males are vivid turquoise-blue with black accents, while females are mostly green. It often joins mixed-species flocks high in the canopy and visits flowering and fruiting trees. Despite the common name, it is not a true honeycreeper; it belongs to the tanager family (Thraupidae). By feeding on fruit, it helps disperse seeds across forest edges and secondary growth.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with agile, darting movements
Social Behavior
Often forages in pairs or small groups and readily joins mixed-species flocks in the canopy. Builds a small cup nest placed well above ground in leafy branches. Breeding pairs show cooperative behavior, with the female incubating and both parents feeding nestlings. Territoriality is modest, centered around rich food sources.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
High, thin twitters and lispy notes delivered in short sequences. Calls are sharp, sibilant tsit or see notes that carry through the canopy but are not loud.
Plumage
Male bright turquoise-blue with glossy black mask, mantle, wings, and tail; female mostly green with bluish tinge on head and paler underparts. Both sexes have fine, sleek feathering suited to canopy life.
Diet
Takes small fruits and berries, sips nectar from flowers, and gleans small arthropods from leaves and twigs. Occasionally hawks tiny insects in short sallies from perches. Diet varies with seasonal availability of fruiting and flowering plants.
Preferred Environment
Primarily the mid- to upper canopy of forest edges and secondary woodland. Frequently visits fruiting and flowering trees in gardens, parks, and plantations.
