Aves, Thraupidae, Indigo Flowerpiercer Diglossa indigotica (Sclater, 1856): New country records, natural history notes, and occurrence in northwest Ecuador

Abstract

Only old records of the Indigo Flowerpiercer Diglossa indigotica are known from Pichincha province, Ecuador. Here we report 26 sight records of this rare species at a new locality, the Bosque Protector Mashpi. These novel records confirm that the species is resident, and represent the first evidence of breeding in the country. The species seems to have a habitat preference for patches of short Ericaceous growth, but occurs locally in mossy cloud forest, typically found in low densities. Adults sang throughout the year, usually from canopy but also from inside short Ericaceous growth. The discovery of this site posses a great opportunity to further studies of this little known Choco endemic species.