White-throated Flowerpecker

Pachyglossa vincens

A small, stub-tailed, thick-billed songbird, with dark upperparts, white throat, and yellow on the underside. Males are dark, blackish-blue above, while the duller females are gray on the upperside. Usually in pairs, within the treetops of wet forest and adjoining areas. The only similar species would be female sunbirds, which can be eliminated on bill shape; White-throated Flowerpecker possesses a stubby bill. Song is a series of ascending high notes, and call is a single very high-pitched “whit” note.

Identification

This is a very small passerine but a relatively stout flowerpecker, measuring 10 cm (3.9 in) in total length and weighing approximately 9 g (0.32 oz), with a short tail, short thick curved bill and tubular tongue. The latter features reflect the importance of nectar in its diet, although berries, spiders and insects are also taken.<p>The male Legge's flowerpecker has blue-black upperparts, a white throat and upper breast, and yellow lower breast and belly. The female is duller, with olive-brown upperparts.

Taxonomy

Scientific name
Pachyglossa vincens
Authority
(Sclater, PL, 1872)
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Paramythiidae
Genus
Pachyglossa

Range and habitat

Migration
Resident species

Conservation

Population trend
declining

Photos

Distribution

Bird Calls

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