Fire-eyed Diucon (Pyrope pyrope)

A conspicuous species, the fire-eyed diucon can be commonly observed perched in the open, scanning the surroundings for insects and other invertebrates. Prey is caught on the wing or snatched from the ground during short, swift flights from a nearby perch (3) (4). Breeding takes place between September and December, with the female creating a small nest from twigs and grass, lined with feathers and hair, which is placed in a tree or bush (3). During nesting, the fire-eyed diucon is occasionally the victim of brood parasitism. The shiny cowbird lays its eggs in this species' nest (5), which are then unwittingly incubated and brooded by the adult fire-eyed diucon, often to the detriment of its own offspring (5) (6).

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