Blue-backed Conebill

Overview

The blue-backed conebill (Conirostrum sitticolor) is a small bird species in the family Thraupidae, the South American tanagers. It is currently listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Identification

• Small bird weighing 11-13 g.
• Characterised by a blue back, rump, and tail with an orange underside.
• Head markings vary by subspecies, but all possess some black on the head, with the nominate subspecies having a fully black head and throat and black wings.

Habitat

This species inhabits subtropical or tropical moist montane forests. Its range extends along the Andes from northern to central South America, covering parts of Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia.

Diet

The blue-backed conebill is an insectivore that forages for insects mainly in the canopies of trees. It is often found in mixed species flocks with other insectivores, showing a preference for associating with other conebill species such as the rufous-browed and white-browed conebills.

Did you know?

The species was originally called the purple conebill, and two of its subspecies were historically described as entirely different species, the Venezuelan and Peruvian purple conebills.