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Black-naped monarch
Birdie of blue
When it comes to flying creatures, the title of "monarch" conjures the image of a butterfly, but that iconic insect isn't the only king on the wing. Instead of the monarch butterfly's blazing orange, the male black-naped monarch boasts brilliant baby blue feathers – the better to gain the lady birds' attention. Therein lies another big difference between bug and bird – whilst both sexes of monarch butterfly display similar colour schemes, black-naped monarchs are dimorphic, with females featuring grey-blue heads and brownish wings.
Birdie of blue
When it comes to flying creatures, the title of "monarch" conjures the image of a butterfly, but that iconic insect isn't the only king on the wing. Instead of the monarch butterfly's blazing orange, the male black-naped monarch boasts brilliant baby blue feathers – the better to gain the lady birds' attention. Therein lies another big difference between bug and bird – whilst both sexes of monarch butterfly display similar colour schemes, black-naped monarchs are dimorphic, with females featuring grey-blue heads and brownish wings.
A well-preened coat of shiny blue means this little dude's doing all right with the lady birds.
© kajornyot wildlife photography / Shutterstock 2026-09-11 08:45:51 :