Shining Honeycreeper

This is a forest canopy species, but also occurs in forest edges and secondary growth. The female builds a shallow cup nest in a tree, and incubates the clutch of two eggs.

The Shining Honeycreeper is classified as Least Concern. Does not qualify for a more at risk category. Widespread and abundant taxa are included in this category.

The Shining Honeycreeper (Cyanerpes lucidus) is a small bird in the tanager family. It is found in the tropical New World in Central America from southern Mexico to Panama and northwest Colombia. It is sometimes considered to be conspecific with the Purple Honeycreeper (C. caeruleus), but the two species breed sympatrically in eastern Panama and northwest Colombia. This is a forest canopy species, but also occurs in forest edges and secondary growth. More

Shining HoneycreeperDescription The Shining Honeycreeper is 10 cm long, weighs 11 g and has a long black decurved bill. The male is purple with black wings, tail and throat, and bright yellow legs. The female has green upperparts, a greenish-blue head, buff throat and buff-streaked bluish underparts. The immature is similar to the female, but is greener on the head and breast. More

Shining Honeycreeper is easily distinguished from the larger Red-legged Honeycreeper with which its shares its range by the latter species leg colour and black mantle. The Shining Honeycreeper is usually found in pairs or family groups. It feeds on nectar, berries and insects, mainly in the canopy. It responds readily to the call of the Ferruginous Pygmy Owl. More

The shining honeycreeper (Cyanerpes lucidus) is one of two similar and strikingly-colored honeycreepers common in upper level forests and semi-open areas of Costa Rica. The bright yellow legs and feet of the shining honeycreeper are a primary distinguishing feature. At Selva Verde, it is most often encountered in pairs or small family groups. Although its prominent curved beak is specialized for nectar feeding, its main diet comprises succulent fruit. More

Shining Honeycreeper are solitary birds that are sometimes found in couples or family groups, but never in flocks of their own species. They are often observed in the company of mixed flocks of bananaquits or other tanagers. In some locations they hang from skinny branches to reach their food, which allows one to watch their bright yellow legs. More

The Shining Honeycreeper flits on delicate legs, and it watches surrounding forest events with lightning twitches of its neck to get good glances at air activity and ground happenings at once. The Shining Honeycreeper is a family and flock feeder who may snack on the odd insect. Shining Honeycreepers are easily separated from birding reports by yellow legs instead of red. The male will twitter its own distinctive bird call. More