Black flowerpiercer


The black flowerpiercer is a species of bird in the family Thraupidae 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

Adult black flowerpiercers are 13–14 cm in length. They are uniformly black. 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.

Subspecies

  • D.h. aterrima - same description as above
  • D.h. humeralis - Male dull black with blueish shoulder and small greyish rump; Females are very dark brown with the grey rump less clear.
  • D.h.nocticolor - 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. The black flowerpiercer sounds almost like the cinereous conebill.

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. It is also now seen in India.

Behavior

Drinks nectar and consumes small invertebrates. Black flowerpiercers move quickly and are more active in lower parts of the forest. They are mainly solitary or found in pairs.