The Chestnut-bellied Flowerpiercer (Diglossa gloriosissima) is a species of bird of the Thraupidae family, endemic to Colombia and that is only distributed in the western mountain range above 2,500 to 4,000 meters above sea level.
Description
It measures between 4.5 to 15 cm in length. The beak is black and has a hooked tip. Dark brown iris. The plumage of the upper parts, wings and throat shiny black (glossy); chest and belly are reddish brown (rufous). The shoulders are slate blue. There is no sexual dimorphism.
Habitat
It lives in dwarf forest, humid and semi-humid scrub, sub-paramo, paramo, shrub areas and Andean forest at elevations above 2,500 and 3,800 m of altitude. In the area of the frontino páramo it is abundant in the forests of Polylepis quadrijuga (colorados).
Geographical distribution
This emblematic bird is endemic to Colombia and is only distributed in the western mountain range above 2,500 to 4,000 meters above sea level.
Feeding
It feeds on the nectar of flowers of Melastomataceae (which it pierces laterally) and Ericaceae (Cavendishia sp, Psammisia sp and Thibaudia sp), Loranthaceae and even epiphytic bromeliads.
It has been observed visiting artificial feeders in the colibrí del sol reserve.
Reproductive biology
Territorial species, it only make pairs when it nests (around March to April), where it nests on slopes (ravines) where it hides its nests among the dense vegetation.
Conservation status.
(Endangered) Birdlife International and IUCN (2017). Red Book of Birds Colombia (Vulnerable) 2014.
Vocalization
https://www.xeno-canto.org/523342
