- Black Flowerpiercer
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Black Flowerpiercer Conservation status Scientific classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Passeriformes Family: Thraupidae Genus: Diglossa Species: D. humeralis Binomial name Diglossa humeralis
(Fraser, 1840)Contents
Introduction
The Black Flowerpiercer (Diglossa humeralis) is a species of bird in the Thraupidae family of the order Passeriformes. The family Thraupidae is known for tanagers and other very similar species of birds, but it is still facing classification issues. The Black Flowerpiercer is found in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela.
Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist mountains, subtropical or tropical high-altitude shrubland, and heavily degraded former forest.
Description
13-14cm with adults uniformly black (slightly glossy black with subtle blue gloss in males). They have brown eyes and a black bill with a grey base. Females are a duller black with no blue gloss and their wings and tail are brownish. Juvenile birds are also duller.
Three captured Black Flowerpiercers
Subspecies
- D.h. aterrima (Ecuador, south Colombia)- same description as above
- D.h. humeralis (East Andes in north & south Colombia, southwest Venezuela)- Male dull black with blueish shoulder and small greyish rump; Females are very dark brown with the grey rump less clear.
- D.h.nocticolor (Santa Marta in Colombia, Perija in Venezuela)- All black with only slight gloss and dark grey rump, female slightly duller than male
Voice
A rapid series of squeaky trills and twitters even faster than the Glossy Flowerpiercer(Diglossa lafresnayii). The Black Flowerpiercer sounds almost like the Cinereous Conebill (Conirostrum cinereum).
Distribution and Habitat
Found in Ecuador, Colombia, Peru, and Venezuela. Subtropical zone to Paramo, at 2,175 - 4,000m, but mostly in 2,700 - 3,400m at edges of dense wet forest. Also found in scattered vegetation, shrubby clearings, eucalyptus plantations, parks, and gardens.
Behavior
Drinks nectar and consumes small invertebrates. Black Flowerpiercers move quickly and are more active in lower parts of the forest. The are mainly solitary or found in pairs.
References
- BirdLife International 2004. Diglossa humeralis. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 25 July 2007.
- Restall, Robin, Clemencia Rodner, and Miguel Lentino. Birds of Northern South America. Vol. 1. US: Yale University Press, 2006. 654. 2 vols. Print.
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