The blue-backed conebill is a species of bird in the family Thraupidae . It is found in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forests.
Region
Andes Mountains
Typical Environment
Occurs along the Andes from Venezuela and Colombia through Ecuador and Peru to Bolivia. Inhabits subtropical and tropical moist montane forests, especially cloud forest edges, elfin forest, and shrubby second growth. Frequently uses bamboo (Chusquea) patches, forest borders, and flowering shrub thickets. It forages from the midstory to canopy and along forest edges, often accompanying mixed-species flocks.
Altitude Range
1500–3600 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A small Andean tanager, the blue-backed conebill often joins mixed-species flocks in cloud forests, moving quickly through foliage in search of tiny prey and flower resources. Its fine, pointed bill is adapted for gleaning insects and sipping nectar, and it may act as a minor pollinator of high-elevation shrubs. It typically stays within a narrow elevational band, making local upslope or downslope movements as flowers and insects peak.
A blue-backed conebill foraging for insects on a Cacalote plant
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually found in pairs or small family groups and commonly joins mixed-species flocks in the canopy and at edges. Nests are small cups placed in dense shrubs or low trees, with both parents typically participating in care. Territoriality is modest, especially where food is abundant.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Song is a thin, high-pitched series of tinkling notes and short trills, delivered rapidly. Calls include fine, sibilant tseet and tit notes used to keep contact within flocks.
Plumage
Male with vivid blue upperparts and rump, contrasting dark hood, wings, and tail, and pale gray to whitish underparts with slight buffy flanks; female duller with bluish-olive upperparts and grayish-buff below. Feathers appear sleek and smooth, aiding its agile movements through foliage.
Diet
Feeds mainly on small arthropods gleaned from leaves, buds, and twigs. Also takes nectar from flowering shrubs and trees and occasionally small berries. Foraging is quick and precise, often probing blossoms and picking tiny insects from leaf surfaces.
Preferred Environment
Most often forages along forest edges, in the midstory to canopy of cloud forest, and in flowering shrub tangles. It frequently exploits bamboo and Ericaceae stands where insects and blossoms are abundant.
