About Diglossa albilatera Lafresnaye, 1843
This species is a fairly small flowerpiercer, being slightly larger than a black-capped chickadee and slightly smaller than a great tit. It measures 12.2 to 13.2 centimeters in length, and typically weighs between 9.84 and 10.2 grams. Adult males have an overall blackish-slate plumage, with the distinct feature of white "sides" consisting of pectoral tufts and underwing linings. These white markings are not always visible on perched birds, but the species frequently flicks its wings, which makes the white flash obvious. Females have olive-brown upperparts and buffy-brown underparts, and share the same white sides as males. Both adult males and females have dark brown irises, blackish bills that are sometimes paler at the base of the lower mandible, and grey legs. Immature males look similar to females, but their plumage is a duller brown with blurred streaks on the breast. Juveniles are dark grey-brown, and their dark-tipped feathers give the birds a faintly scaled appearance.
