Sapphires and Emeralds- precious gems of the birding world. 1/11/2024

On a recent trip to Costa Rica, I saw over 200 different species, quite an amazing feat in such a short time in such a beautiful country. I had so many favorites, but one species that really stood out was the Red- legged Honeycreeper. Why? The male and female of the same species in the bird world often have different coloration with the male usually being the most colorful. He is trying to catch the eye of a potential mate while she is trying to stay concealed and drab while on the nest. Survival of the fittest has this coloration preference being true most of the time, however, there are instances where sexes of the same species look alike or even, where the female is more ornate than the male, such as the female Belted Kingfisher.

As I looked back on the different birds that I have photographed in the last fifteen years, however, I don't think I have ever seen such beautiful color differences between the male and female as with the Red-legged Honey Creeper. I had the opportunity to photograph both while being hosted by Cope in his backyard in Costa Rica. The bird's colors were so vibrant that they sparkled like semi-precious Sapphire and Emerald gems with the male representing the former and the female the latter. The photographs speak for themselves and are all about the bird...