Diglossa gloriosa
The Merida Flowerpiercer, *Diglossa gloriosa*, is a striking and specialized songbird endemic to the high-elevation cloud forests and páramos of the Venezuelan Andes. Measuring approximately 13-14 cm (5.1-5.5 in) in length and weighing around 12-16 grams (0.4-0.6 oz), this small passerine is easily identified by its glossy, dark slate-blue to black plumage and its most distinctive feature: a brilliant rufous-orange or chestnut-colored shoulder patch, which can sometimes appear more yellowish ...
Found primarily in humid montane cloud forests, elfin forests, and dense shrubby growth at the edge of páramo grasslands, typically at elevations between 2,500 and 4,000 meters.
Primarily consumes nectar, obtained by piercing the base of flower corollas, supplemented with small insects and spiders gleaned from vegetation.
Merida Flowerpiercers are diurnal, often observed singly or in pairs, actively foraging throughout the day, frequently joining mixed-species flocks, particularly with other small insectivorous birds. Their foraging strategy is highly specialized; they utilize their unique hooked bill to pierce th...
The Merida Flowerpiercer is strictly endemic to the higher elevations of the Venezuelan Andes, specifically restricted to the states of Mérida and Trujillo. Its primary distribution includes the Sierra Nevada de Mérida and the Sierra de Santo Domingo mountain ranges. This species is an altitudina...
Least Concern
- The Merida Flowerpiercer is an endemic species, found only in a small, isolated region of the Venezuelan Andes. - Its scientific name, *Diglossa gloriosa*, aptly describes its glorious (gloriosa) appearance, particularly the bright shoulder patches. - This bird is a 'nectar robber,' using its s...