Friday, August 29, 2014

Creature Feature #314: Honeycreeper


The Honeycreepers are several species of small bird related to the tanagers. Flocks forage in the canopy of tropical forests from Mexico to Brazil, including around plantations. As his name suggests, he is a nectar drinker, using his long bill to sip from flowers. Fruit and insects are also eaten. Outside of breeding season, the male sheds his vibrant blue plumage in exchange for a more dowdy and camouflaged olive green, better matching the females. The female builds a small, cup-shaped nest in which she lays two eggs. These hatch within 14 days, and the chicks fledge two weeks later.

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