Flowerpiercer


Diglossa is a genus in the family Thraupidae. They are commonly known as flowerpiercers because of their habit of piercing the base of flowers to access nectar that otherwise would be out of reach. This is done with their highly modified bill, which is typically upswept, with a hook at the tip. Most members of the genus Diglossa are found in highlands of South America, but two species are found in Central America.
File:Diglossa sittoides female.JPG|thumb|Rusty flowerpiercer, female, piercing the base of an Abutilon flower to access the nectar inside.

Taxonomy and species list

The genus Diglossa was introduced by the German naturalist Johann Georg Wagler in 1832 with the cinnamon-bellied flowerpiercer as the type species. The genus name is from the Ancient Greek diglōssos meaning "double-tongued" or "speaking two languages". The genus now includes 18 species.