The Flowerpiercers are small birds in the Tanager family that have the upper tip of the bill curved down, allowing them to pierce flowers from the base and drink their nectar, hence their name. Their very short bill do not allow them to drink nectar like a hummingbird does, by inserting the bill into the flower, so they do not pollinate flowers. It is very similar to the Glossy Flowerpiercer, however the former is found in higher grounds, has more blueish plumage and is slightly larger.

As most other flowerpiercers, this small bird uses its beak to tear down flowers from the base, allowing it to drink its nectar from below.

While piercing flowers, they can balance themselves in tricky positions, like upside down. Their feet grab themselves with force from the branches.