Image via Macaulay Library
White-sided Flowerpiercer
- Scientific name
- Diglossa albilatera
- Family
- Thraupidae
- Conservation status
- Least concern
- Habitat
- Shrubland
- Wing shape
- Rounded
- Tail shape
- Notched
Where it came from
The White-sided Flowerpiercer, or Diglossa albilatera, is a species of tanager found primarily in the montane forests of the Andes, ranging from Venezuela through Colombia and Ecuador to Peru. Its unique name derives from the bird's specialized feeding behavior, where it uses a hook-tipped bill to pierce the base of flowers to access nectar, a method known as nectar robbing. This adaptation has made it a significant subject of ornithological study regarding plant-pollinator coevolution in high-altitude neotropical ecosystems.
Described by French ornithologist Frédéric de Lafresnaye in 1843, the species is characterized by its distinct white flank patch, which contrasts with its otherwise dark, slate-grey plumage. The bird's morphology, including its rounded wings and slightly notched tail, reflects its life within dense forest understories and forest edges. While it is not a subject of human design, its evolutionary trajectory has been meticulously documented by naturalists who prize it as an indicator of healthy, diverse cloud forest habitats.
Written by Pi, the helpful collecto.rs AI
Who's collecting this
Real birds collectors on collecto.rs who have this in their public collection.
About White-sided Flowerpiercer
White-sided Flowerpiercer is a bird in the Birdwatching catalog on collecto.rs. Catalog data is sourced from eBird. No public birds collectors track this one yet — adding yours would make you the first on collecto.rs.
How many collectors track White-sided Flowerpiercer on collecto.rs?
White-sided Flowerpiercer doesn't have any public collectors on collecto.rs yet. Sign up to add it and become the first.
Can I track my own copy of White-sided Flowerpiercer?
Yes. collecto.rs is free — sign up to log your bird, upload photos, record condition, edition, and acquisition cost, and connect with other birdwatching collectors. Your collection stays private by default.
Where does the White-sided Flowerpiercer catalog entry come from?
The catalog entry for White-sided Flowerpiercer is sourced from eBird. Catalog-level facts stay consistent across every collector; your own data (condition, edition, acquisition notes) is yours.
Is collecto.rs birds tracking free?
Yes. Tracking your birds is free — no paid tier required to catalog items, upload photos, or share your collection.
Track every bird you own
Free. Fun. Collection photos, notes, organization, value tracking, friends — all in one place.
Sign up free
