White-sided Flowerpiercer (Diglossa albilatera)
Also known asSchieferhakenschnabel · 白胁刺花鸟 · ワキジロハナサシミツドリ · گلشکاف پهلوسفید · Шиферный крючкоклюв · Witflankberghoningkruiper · Punxaflor de flancs blancs · Háčkozobec běloboký · Hvidflanket Blomsterborer · Valkokylkipuhkoja
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Our streaming copies are mirrored from the original xeno-canto file and transcoded to 96 kbps mono — a modification, so we note it here; the licence for each recording is named in its credit above.
3 recordings on this page · licensed CC BY-SA ×2 · CC BY ×1 · mirrored on this server, free for commercial reuse · recorded in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela · xeno-canto lists 134 recordings for this species in total.
A real field recording of the White-sided Flowerpiercer. Press play and focus on the rhythm and pitch of each phrase.
About the White-sided Flowerpiercer
The white-sided flowerpiercer (Diglossa albilatera) is a fairly common and widespread species of flowerpiercer. Flowerpiercers are a genus of birds within the tanager family Thraupidae, with specially adapted bills that enable them to pierce the sides of flower blossoms to access the nectar. The white-sided flowerpiercer is found in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montane forests and heavily degraded former forest. Taxonomy and systematics. The species was first described as diglossa albi-latera in 1843 by the French ornithologist Frédéric de Lafresnaye. The generic name Diglossa comes from Ancient Greek diglossos (double-tongued; speaking two languages). The specific epithet albilatera derives from Latin albus (white) and lateralis (flanks).
Ecology and behavior
As a member of Thraupidae, this bird is associated with Neotropical forest, edges, canopy, scrub and gardens. It generally feeds by fruit, insects, nectar or seeds. These habits determine where the bird is easiest to observe and explain why a recording often gives the first clue to its presence. Recorded examples on this site are linked to Colombia, Ecuador. Local vegetation and weather can change the impression of the voice, but field identification still depends on the same evidence: the perch, surrounding cover and behavior of the calling bird.What to listen for
Voices range from high chips to lisping or rhythmic songs; canopy behavior helps. The available recordings are labeled as song. On the first listen, follow repetition and phrase length. On the second, decide whether the tone is clear, buzzy, burry, harsh, rounded or thin. On the third, trace pitch direction and the gaps between phrases. A strong field note describes the complete sound before naming the species. Note whether the bird stays hidden or uses an exposed perch, whether phrases accelerate, and whether the voice belongs to a boundary between two habitats. Those details make the recording useful during a real encounter. Compare the recording with the habitat immediately around you: the same phrase heard from dense cover, an exposed branch or an open edge can point toward different behavior. Returning to the phrase after a short pause makes the rhythm easier to remember and helps transfer the recording to field use.A field note on this voice
Listening context
The recordings shown here come from Colombia, Ecuador. Because exact recording dates are not available for this conservative note, it is best not to treat any month or season as guaranteed. Local weather, latitude, habitat and breeding cycles can all change when a bird is most vocal. Use the region as a starting point, then look for supporting evidence in the field. Habitat, perch height, light conditions and observed behavior often provide more reliable context than a broad seasonal guess.
Time of day
The exact recording time is not available for this sample. Early morning is often a productive time to listen because many birds sing more regularly then and sound may carry well, but that is a general observation rather than a rule for this species. Birds may also vocalize later while feeding, moving through cover, interacting with nearby individuals or responding to disturbance. Listen for the same kinds of sounds at different times and compare the surrounding behavior.
What this vocalization may suggest
This page contains a song rather than a simple call. Songs are often longer, more structured and more repetitive than short calls. A clear phrase repeated at regular intervals can be associated with breeding activity or the defense of space, although the exact meaning should be confirmed by observation. Shorter or more abrupt notes may accompany movement, alertness or contact between birds. Changes in pace, volume or tone can sometimes reflect heightened interaction, while an evenly spaced delivery may simply be routine.
Understanding pitch
High notes do not automatically indicate courtship, and low notes do not necessarily signal alarm. Pitch works alongside rhythm, repetition, volume and tone. A high, clear phrase may be a territorial song, while high, irregular notes might suggest agitation; some low, soft sounds may simply help birds stay in contact. Rather than focusing on pitch alone, observe what the bird is doing before and after the sound. The most useful field note combines the voice with place, habitat, time and behavior.
Editor's note
These interpretations are intended as listening guidance based on the available recordings and context, not as proof of an individual bird's intent. When exact dates or times are unavailable, this note deliberately avoids claiming them. Strong observations record the date and time, habitat, perch height, weather and behavior before and after the vocalization.
Similar species
- Black FlowerpiercerDiglossa humeralisrecording
- Bluish FlowerpiercerDiglossa caerulescensrecording
- Glossy FlowerpiercerDiglossa lafresnayiirecording
- Golden-eyed FlowerpiercerDiglossa glaucarecording
- Masked FlowerpiercerDiglossa cyanearecording
- Rusty FlowerpiercerDiglossa sittoidesrecording
- Black-throated FlowerpiercerDiglossa brunneiventrisprofile
- Chestnut-bellied FlowerpiercerDiglossa gloriosissimaprofile
- Cinnamon-bellied FlowerpiercerDiglossa baritulaprofile
- Greater FlowerpiercerDiglossa majorprofile
Species grouped by shared genus, family and range. Family: Thraupidae.
More birds recorded in Colombia
- Green HeronButorides virescensrecording
- Green HoneycreeperChlorophanes spizarecording
- Green JayCyanocorax luxuosusrecording
- Green KingfisherChloroceryle americanarecording
- Green ManakinCryptopipo holochlorarecording
- Green OropendolaPsarocolius viridisrecording
- Green-and-black FruiteaterPipreola riefferiirecording
- Green-backed TrogonTrogon viridisrecording
Every species xeno-canto lists for this country is on the full Colombia list — 1,573 species, the ones with recordings marked ▶.