Order
Passeriformes
Family
Thraupidae
Genus
Diglossa
 
Neotropical Birds logo
Version 1.0

This is a historic version of this account.  Current version

 - Merida Flowerpiercer
 - Merida Flowerpiercer
Listen

Merida Flowerpiercer Diglossa gloriosa

Courtney Drake, Erik R. Funk, Casey H. Richart, and Kevin J. Burns
Version: 1.0 — Published January 12, 2018

Sign in to see your badges

Introduction

Merida Flowerpiercer is superficially similar to the larger Chestnut-bellied Flowerpiercer (Diglossa gloriosissima) of western Colombia, but is more closely related to Black Flowerpiercer (Diglossa humeralis), Black-throated Flowerpiercer (Diglossa brunneiventris), and Gray-bellied Flowerpiercer (Diglossa carbonaria). Within its range, this species easily is identifiable by the typical hooked flowerpiercer bill, chestnut belly, black breast and upperparts, and blue gray shoulder patch. Although Merida Flowerpiercer is not confined to the state of Mérida, it is restricted to the Andes of western Venezuela. In typical flowerpiercer fashion, this species pierces the base of flowers with the hook on the bill in order to "steal" nectar directly from the bases of flowers. Merida Flowerpiercer is a common species, and occupies shrubby montane habitats.

Distribution of the Merida Flowerpiercer - Range Map
Enlarge
  • Year-round
  • Migration
  • Breeding
  • Non-Breeding
Distribution of the Merida Flowerpiercer

Recommended Citation

Drake, C., E. R. Funk, C. H. Richart, and K. J. Burns (2018). Merida Flowerpiercer (Diglossa gloriosa), version 1.0. In Neotropical Birds Online (T. S. Schulenberg, Editor). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/nb.merflo1.01