About the Masked Flowerpiercer
The masked flowerpiercer is a species of bird in the tanager family, Thraupidae. It is found in humid montane forest and scrub in Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia. Flowerpiercers got their name from the fact that they have a sharp hook on the tip of their upper mandible which they use to slice open the base of flowers to get at the nectar.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
The masked flowerpiercer grows to a length of about 15 cm (6 in). The adult male is deep ultramarine blue with a dark mask. The beak is large, black, and upturned, with a characteristic hook on the tip of the upper mandible. The iris is bright red. The female is similar in appearance but altogether duller. The juvenile has a reddish-brown iris. At the northern end of its range, the song is a series of reedlike notes terminating in a twitter, while at the southern end, it is a jangling series of high-pitched notes ending with several lengthy "tseee" notes.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
What the Masked Flowerpiercer sounds like
Where it lives
When to see it
Peak activity in November · a resident species across most of its range
Easily confused with
White-sided FlowerpiercerDiglossa albilateraA fairly small flowerpiercer - slightly larger than a black-capped chickadee and slightly smaller than a great tit.
Black FlowerpiercerDiglossa humeralisAdult black flowerpiercers are 13–14 cm in length.
Slaty FlowerpiercerDiglossa plumbeaThe slaty flowerpiercer is a passerine bird endemic to the Talamancan montane forests.
Side by side: Masked Flowerpiercer vs Swallow Tanager
Learn the Masked Flowerpiercer for real
BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.
Play BeakBrainEvery photo and recording on this page is credited to its author under the licence shown. Spotted a problem with this page, or have a better photo? Contribute.