Moustached Flowerpiercer (Diglossa mystacalis)

Identification & Behavior: ~14.5 cm (5.7 in). The Moustached Flowerpiercer is geographically variable All forms are black with a broad white malar stripe (moustach) and rusty undertail coverts. The sub-species albilinea has solid black underparts and a blue shoulder patch. The sub-species unicincta has a rusty breast band while the sub-species pectoralis has also the rusty breast band bordered by a white pectoral band. The juvenile is dusky brown with brown streaks below and a white malar stripe. It forages along forest edges, and humid scrub. It is readily distinguished from the Black Flowerpiercer and Glossy Flowerpiercer by the white malar stripe.

Status: The Moustached Flowerpiercer is common in forest edges and humid scrub on the east slope of the Andes mostly south of the Marañon Valley at elevations ranging between 2700-3700 m. It also occurs in Bo.

Name in Spanish: Pincha-Flor Bigotudo.

Sub-species: Moustached Flowerpiercer (Diglossa mystacalis unicincta), Hellmayr, 1905.  N Peru on E Andean slope from S Amazonas and La Libertad S to Huánuco (W & N of R Huallaga), also locally on W slope of E cordillera in Marañón Valley.
(Diglossa mystacalis pectoralis), Cabanis, 1873.  C Peru on E Andean slope from C Huánuco (E of R Huallaga) S to Pasco and Junín.
(Diglossa mystacalis albilinea), Chapman, 1919.  SE Peru (Ayacucho, Cuzco and Puno).

Meaning of Name: Diglossa: Gr. di, dis= double, twice and glossa= tongue. mystacalis: Gr. mustax, mustakos= moustache.

See more of the Family Thraupidae