Nilgiri Flowerpecker Dicaeum concolor Scientific name definitions

7·5–8 cm; 5–8 g. A comparatively small flowerpecker with a relatively long and heavy-based bill. Adult is greyish olive-brown above, more olive on rump, with dark centres of crown feathers, pale forehead, lores and supercilium; wings and tail darker; yellowish white below, axillaries white; iris brown to dark brown; bill black-tipped bluish grey; legs brownish black or plumbeous. Recalls even plainer-plumaged D. erythrorhynchos, but is darker above and has a darker bill, and also lacks underparts streaking, stubby bill and pale-tipped tail of D. agile. Sexes similar. Juvenile has pale bill with black tip and culmen ridge, and is very similar to D. erythrorhynchos, but again is darker on upperparts.

Usually considered conspecific with D. minullum, which see. Proposed races subflavum (from Karnataka, in SW India) and unicolor (Palani Hills, in W Tamil Nadu) both treated as synonyms. Monotypic.

Evergreen and moist deciduous hill forest and edges, as well as groves of trees and plantations. Occurs in the foothills to c. 1300 m.

None known.

Diet and foraging behaviour not very well known, but reported to be frequently seen around large trees with clumps of mistletoe and known to feed at Taxillus cuneatus, T. recurvus and Dendrophthoe neelgherrensis, so presumably similar in these aspects of its ecology to the formerly conspecific D. minullum. In recent study, in Palani Hills, the species mainly foraged 4–6 m above ground, but occupied all strata, and all observed foraging was at flowers.

Songs include a very short and rapid, strongly descending “tse’e’e’ep” trill, which is repeated every few seconds, and a very high, thin and short trilled “tseep-tsip-tsip-tsip…” (falling across the “tsip” notes). Calls include a hard, full, very short and staccato “chrik”, which may be uttered for long periods at a fairly even tempo and very closely recalls an analogous vocalization of sympatric D. erythrorhynchos, but is perhaps slightly less metallic-sounding.

Egg-laying Jan–May and Sept. Both sexes build nest, incubate eggs, tend nestlings and care for young. Nest a very small hanging purse, 70 mm × 50 mm, made chiefly of floss of Bombax malabarica, and other fibres and vegetable down, 6–12 m above ground in tree or tall bush, sometimes much lower. Clutch 2–3 eggs, unmarked white, size 13·9–16·4 mm × 10·1–11·2 mm. No further information.

Not globally threatened (Least Concern). Generally considered common, and is tolerant of various non-primary habitats. Restricted-range species: confined to the Western Ghats EBA. Occurs in several protected areas, e.g. Mudumalai National Park.