The white-sided flowerpiercer is a fairly common and widespread species of flowerpiercer. Flowerpiercers are a genus of birds within the tanager family Thraupidae, with specially adapted bills that enable them to pierce the sides of flower blossoms to access the nectar. The white-sided flowerpiercer is found in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montane forests and heavily degraded former forest.
Region
Northern Andes
Typical Environment
Occurs from western Venezuela through Colombia and Ecuador into northern Peru, primarily along Andean slopes. It inhabits subtropical to tropical moist montane forests, cloud forest edges, second growth, and shrubby clearings. The species readily uses disturbed habitats and hedgerows with abundant flowering plants, and it can venture into gardens. It is locally common where tubular flowers are plentiful.
Altitude Range
1200–3300 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This Andean tanager has a thin, slightly upturned, hook-tipped bill adapted to pierce the bases of flowers to access nectar—a form of nectar robbing. Males are strikingly black with bold white patches along the sides, while females are more subdued olive-brown with paler underparts. They often frequent flowering shrubs at forest edges and can visit gardens. Besides nectar, they also take small arthropods, making them versatile feeders.
White-sided flowerpiercer (female)
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with quick darting flights
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly or in pairs, with males defending rich nectar sources. Forms loose associations around flowering shrubs and may follow blooming cycles. Nests are cup-shaped and placed in dense shrubs; clutch size is typically two eggs, with the female doing most of the incubation.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Song is a thin, high-pitched series of tinkling and buzzy notes delivered from a concealed perch. Calls include sharp chips and sibilant tseet notes, especially when foraging around flowers.
Plumage
Male is glossy black with a conspicuous white patch along the sides/flanks; female is olive-brown above with buffy-gray underparts and a subtler pale flank area. Both sexes have a fine, slightly upturned, hook-tipped bill typical of flowerpiercers. Plumage is fairly uniform otherwise, with minimal streaking.
Diet
Takes nectar by piercing the bases of tubular flowers, often bypassing the corolla. Supplements nectar with small insects and other arthropods gleaned from foliage and flowers. Will also consume small berries when available, especially in lean flowering periods.
Preferred Environment
Feeds at forest edges, clearings, second growth, and gardens with abundant flowering shrubs. Foraging occurs from understory to mid-canopy, often around clumps of blooms.
