English            -              Blue Dacnis

Portuguese    -               Saí-Azul

Latin               -               Dacnis Cayana

I photographed the Blue Dacnis in a small reserve called EBMAR (Estacao Biologia Marinha Augosto Ruschi) which is situated around 58 kms north of Vila Velha. I have photographed the Blue Dacnis in other parts of Brazil that I have visited but at EBMAR I was able to get quite close to them to photograph thanks to the feeders that are put out every morning. An attractive looking bird which would have been best photographed in full sun but unfortunately (for me) the feeders are placed under trees in the shade. Photos 1 & 2 are of male Blue Dacnis. Photo No 3 is of a wee female

* The Blue Dacnis is a small bird of 13 cm in length and weighs around 16 gr.

* It used to be called the Turquoise Honeycreeper, but since it was not a honeycreeper, it’s name was changed.

* The Blue Dacnis call is a thin tsip, tsip.

* It occur naturally in Central / South America - Nicaragua south to Bolivia and northern Argentina.

*  It  prefers forest edges, open woodlands, scrub and second growth. From lowlands to 1,200 m above sea level.

* The Blue Dacnis is an omnivorous, feeding on insects, fruits, seeds and nectar.

* The female lays 2 white, brown-blotched eggs that are incubated only by the female. The nestlings fledge 13 days after hatching. The Blue Dacnis has around 2 to 4 broods per season.

* The Blue Dacnis is not globally threatened. Fairly common to common and widely distributed throughout its large range. Is found in many protected areas, Therefore the Blue Dacnis is classified as a species ”of least concern”.