Flower-piercer

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.

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.


 * Deep-blue Flower-piercer / Golden-eyed Flower-piercer, Diglossa glauca
 * Bluish Flower-piercer, Diglossa caerulescens
 * Masked Flower-piercer, Diglossa cyanea
 * Indigo Flower-piercer, Diglossa indigotica
 * Rusty Flower-piercer, Diglossa sittoides
 * Cinnamon-bellied Flower-piercer, Diglossa baritula
 * Slaty Flower-piercer, Diglossa plumbea
 * Moustached Flower-piercer, Diglossa mystacalis
 * Chestnut-bellied Flower-piercer, Diglossa gloriosissima
 * Glossy Flower-piercer, Diglossa lafresnayii
 * Scaled Flower-piercer, Diglossa duidae
 * Greater Flower-piercer, Diglossa major
 * White-sided Flower-piercer, Diglossa albilatera
 * Venezuelan Flower-piercer, Diglossa venezuelensis
 * Black-throated Flower-piercer, Diglossa brunneiventris
 * Grey-bellied Flower-piercer, Diglossa carbonaria
 * Black Flower-piercer, Diglossa humeralis
 * Merida Flower-piercer, Diglossa gloriosa