The White-sided Flowerpiercer (Diglossa albilatera) is a species of bird of the Thraupidae family that lives in South America. They are called flower pricks or nectar steals, it is considered that with its task of extracting nectar from flowers it helps the pollination of native plants (Brachyotum strigosum, Macleania rupestris, Eucalyptus globulus, Clusia multiflora, Axinaea macrophylla and Gaiadendron punctatum).
Description
~12 cm (4.7 in). The male White-sided Flowerpiercer is all black with white tufts on the sides. The female is a uniformly rich brown with white tufts on the sides. The juvenile is similar to the female but does not show much or any white on the sides.
Similar species
It is similar to Black Flowerpiercer and Glossy Flowerpiercer but is distinguished by its small size and by white tufts on the sides. The female is similar to a female Rusty Flowerpiercer but is distinguished by a uniform rich brown coloration.
Distribution
The White-sided Flowerpiercer is distributed in the Andes from north-west Venezuela through Colombia and Ecuador to Peru. It is found at between 1,600 and 2,800 metres in forest edges, cloudforest and highland gardens often feeding off flowering vines. Habitat
Forest: Subtropical/Tropical Moist Montane; Shrubland: Subtropical/Tropical High altitude.
Artificial/Terrestrial: Rural Gardens, Urban Areas, Subtropical/Tropical Heavily Degraded Former Forest
Behavior
Adult birds flick the wings showing flashes of white on the sides. It forages along forest edges, scrub, and shrubbery.
Sub-species: White-sided Flower-piercer (Diglossa albilatera schistacea), Chapman, 1925. extreme SW Ecuador and NW Peru W of R Marañón.
Status
The White-sided Flowerpiercer is common but local in montane forests of the east and west (Piura and Cajamarca) slopes of the Andes at elevations ranging between 1650-3300 m. It also occurs in Co and Ec.
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