Rarity Status
Currently this species is not classified as a rarity in this country OR information has not been updated.
Population
Estimated population is unknown (2010).
Status LC
Habitat destruction and fragmentation through uncontrolled use of fire, firewood-collection, intense grazing (particularly with sheep and cattle), unsound agricultural techniques and afforestation with exotic tree species are the main threats.
For more information see BirdLife International Species Factsheet.
Habits
Usually singly or in pairs.
Food
Small insects and sugary secretions produced either by the insects or by the leaves. Also nectar.
(Xenodacnis parina) [XC296823]
by Nicolas Mamani from Huascaran NP, E side Abra Portachuelo, Ancash dept., Peru (call, song)
Tit-like Dacnis (Xenodacnis parina) [XC296822]
by Ross Gallardy from Huascaran NP, E side Abra Portachuelo, Ancash dept., Peru (call, song)
Subspecies
Has sometimes been placed in family Coerebidae; recent molecular-genetic data, however, indicate that it belongs in present family and is closest to genus Diglossa, and also to Haplospiza, Acanthidops and Catamenia, the last three genera currently placed in Emberizidae. Subspecies petersi and bella have been considered to represent a separate species, distinct from smaller southern nominate subspecies, although plumage differences from latter not very pronounced. Subspecies bella closely resembles petersi and should perhaps be synonymized with it.
The following 3 subspecies are recognised:
bella Bond & Meyer de Schauensee, 1939 - North-central Peru (southern Amazonas and La Libertad north of R Marañón).
petersi Bond & Meyer de Schauensee, 1939 - Central Peru on western slope of Andes in Ancash, Huánuco (west of R Marañón) and Lima. Considered by some authors to be a distinct species, Streaked Dacnis (Xenodacnis petersi).
parina Cabanis, 1873 - Southern Peru on eastern slope of Andes in Junín, Ayacucho, Apurímac, and Cuzco, and the western slope in Arequipa.