North-eastern Venezuela: Cordillera de Caripe, in northern Sucre (from eastern slope of Cerro Peonía east to Cerro Turumiquire, on Monagas border); also slopes of Cerro Negro (on Sucreâ€"Monagas border), and Cerro Humo (Peninsula de Paría).
Rarity Status
Currently this species is not classified as a rarity in this country OR information has not been updated.
Population
Estimated population is 2,500 - 9,999 (2010) and decreasing.
Status EN
Habitat destruction and degradation through widespread clearance for agriculture and pasture is the main threat.
For more information see BirdLife International Species Factsheet.
Venezuelan Flowerpiercer (Diglossa venezuelensis) [XC222419]
by id from Cerro Negro, Monagas, Venezuela (subsong)
Subspecies
No subspecies.
Genus has sometimes been placed in Coerebidae or Parulidae or even, because of an apparent close relationship to Acanthidops, in Emberizidae. Molecular phylogenies indicate that it is most closely related to Xenodacnis and to Acanthidops, Haplospiza and Catamenia (the last three genera currently placed in Emberizidae), and that all clearly belong in present family. Members of this clade may also be closely related to the Oreomanes / Conirostrum clade. Is closely allied to White-sided Flowerpiercer (Diglossa albilatera).
Similar Species
Only sympatric Diglossa is Rusty Flowerpiercer (Diglossa sittoides). Female similar, but smaller and lacks white on flanks.
References
See References.
BirdLife International Species Factsheet