Masked Flowerpiercer (Diglossa cyanea)

Identification & Behavior: ~14.5 cm (5.7 in). The Masked Flowerpiercer is all blue with a red iris and black mask. It forages in the canopy of humid montane forests as well as forest edges and second growth, often in the company of mixed species flocks. It is similar to the Bluish Flower piercer but is distinguished by the a blue coloration and black mask.  Also, see Deep-blue Flowerpiercer.

Status: The Masked Flowerpiercer is common in montane forests of the east and west (Piura and Cajamarca) slopes of the Andes at elevations ranging between 1500-3600 m. It also occurs in Co, Ec, and Bo.

Name in Spanish: Pincha-Flor Enmascarado.

Sub-species: Masked Flower-piercer (Diglossa cyanea dispar), J. T. Zimmer, 1942.  Andes of SW Ecuador and NW Peru.
(Diglossa cyanea melanopis), Tschudi, 1844.  Andes of Peru (except NW) S to Andes in Bolivia (to Santa Cruz).

Meaning of Name: Diglossa: Gr. di, dis= double, twice and glossa= tongue. cyanea: L. cyaneus= dark-blue, sea-blue, greenish-blue.

See more of the Family Thraupidae