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Diglossa (bird)
Encyclopedia
Diglossa is a genus
of flowerpiercers in the family Thraupidae. Sometimes classified in the bunting
and American sparrow
family Emberizidae
, more recent studies have shown it to belong in the Thraupidae. Together with the genus Diglossopis
, they form a group known as flowerpiercers because of their habit of piercing the base of flowers to access nectar that otherwise would be out of reach. This is done with their highly modified bill. Most members of the genus Diglossa are found in highlands of South America
(especially the Andes
), but two species are found in Central America
.
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
of flowerpiercers in the family Thraupidae. Sometimes classified in the bunting
Bunting (bird)
Buntings are a group of Eurasian and African passerine birds of the family Emberizidae.They are seed-eating birds with stubby, conical bills, and are the Old World equivalents of the species known in North America as sparrows...
and American sparrow
American sparrow
American sparrows are a group of mainly New World passerine birds, forming part of the family Emberizidae. American sparrows are seed-eating birds with conical bills, brown or gray in color, and many species have distinctive head patterns....
family Emberizidae
Emberizidae
The Emberizidae are a large family of passerine birds. They are seed-eating birds with a distinctively shaped bill.In Europe, most species are called buntings. In North America, most of the species in this family are known as sparrows, but these birds are not closely related to the sparrows, the...
, more recent studies have shown it to belong in the Thraupidae. Together with the genus Diglossopis
Diglossopis
Diglossopis is a genus of blue flowerpiercers in the family Thraupidae. They are closely related to the genus Diglossa, and some retain all flowerpiercers in that genus. They were formerly classified in the bunting and American sparrow family Emberizidae, more recent studies have shown it to belong...
, they form a group known as flowerpiercers because of their habit of piercing the base of flowers to access nectar that otherwise would be out of reach. This is done with their highly modified bill. Most members of the genus Diglossa are found in highlands of South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
(especially the Andes
Andes
The Andes is the world's longest continental mountain range. It is a continual range of highlands along the western coast of South America. This range is about long, about to wide , and of an average height of about .Along its length, the Andes is split into several ranges, which are separated...
), but two species are found in Central America
Central America
Central America is the central geographic region of the Americas. It is the southernmost, isthmian portion of the North American continent, which connects with South America on the southeast. When considered part of the unified continental model, it is considered a subcontinent...
.
Species list
The members of the genus Diglossopis are have traditionally been included in Diglossa, but at present most place them in a separate genus. Based on mtDNA, the Indigo Flowerpiercer (D. indigotica), which traditionally has been placed in Diglossopis, actually belongs in Diglossa.- Cinnamon-bellied Flowerpiercer, Diglossa baritula
- Slaty FlowerpiercerSlaty FlowerpiercerThe Slaty Flowerpiercer, Diglossa plumbea, is a passerine bird which is endemic to the highlands of Costa Rica and western Panama.This is a common bird in mountain forest canopy and edges, and especially in sunlit clearings and areas with flowering shrubs, which can include gardens...
, Diglossa plumbea - Rusty Flowerpiercer, Diglossa sittoides
- Venezuelan FlowerpiercerVenezuelan FlowerpiercerThe Venezuelan Flowerpiercer is a species of bird in the Thraupidae family. It is endemic to Venezuela.Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montanes. It is threatened by habitat loss.-References:...
, Diglossa venezuelensis - Chestnut-bellied Flowerpiercer, Diglossa gloriosissima
- White-sided Flowerpiercer, Diglossa albilatera
- Glossy Flowerpiercer, Diglossa lafresnayii
- Moustached Flowerpiercer, Diglossa mystacalis
- Merida Flowerpiercer, Diglossa gloriosa
- Black Flowerpiercer, Diglossa humeralis
- Black-throated Flowerpiercer, Diglossa brunneiventris
- Grey-bellied Flowerpiercer, Diglossa carbonaria
- Scaled Flowerpiercer, Diglossa duidae
- Greater Flowerpiercer, Diglossa major