Tit-like Dacnis (Xenodacnis parina)

Identification & Behavior: ~14.5 cm (5.7 in). The male Tit-like Dacnis is all deep blue. The female has brown upperparts with a blue cap (parina) or blue forehead (bella). The underparts are mostly rufous. It forages in pairs or small groups in Andean scrub, Polylepis woodlands where it is associated with Gynoxis spp bushes. The male is similar to a Masked Flowerpiercer but is distinguished by a short stubby bill and no black mask.

Status: The Tit-like Dacnis is fairly common on the east slope of the Andes at elevations ranging between 3200-4600 m. It also occurs in Ec.

Name in Spanish: Azulito Altoandino.

Sub-species: Tit-like Dacnis (Xenodacnis parina bella), J. Bond and Meyer de Schauensee, 1939.  C Peru on W slope of Andes in Ancash, Huánuco (W of R Marañón) and Lima.
(Xenodacnis parina parina), Cabanis, 1873.  S Peru on E slope of Andes in Junín, Ayacucho, Apurímac, and Cuzco, and the W slope in Arequipa.

Meaning of Name: Xenodacnis: Gr. Xenos= stranger and dacnis= genusDacnis, Cuvier, 1816. parina: L. parus= tit, parinus= tit-like.

See more of the Family Thraupidae