Merida Flowerpiercer Diglossa gloriosa

Small tanager-like bird with sharply hooked, slightly upturned bill. Black body and chestnut belly set off by blue-gray eyebrow and shoulder patch. Sexes similar. Usually alone or in pairs piercing flowers in bushes, gardens, forest edges, and paramo. At high elevations, above 2400 m. Very territorial. Song a series of tinkling notes. No similar flowerpiercers in range, but may be confused with Blue-backed Conebill, which is brighter and larger with a blue back and pointed bill. Endemic to the Andes of Venezuela.