Blue 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: While both sexes of monarch butterfly display similar color schemes, black-naped monarchs are dimorphic, with females featuring gray-blue heads and brownish wings.