Because its bill is short, it forages at small flowers, including those in the genera Besleria, Cavendishia, Clusia, Guarea, Pithecellobium, Quararibea and Satyria.
The larvae, characterized by Sevastapulo for the "dark brown head with a pale, inverted V-mark", feed on the bark and foliage of Acacia, Albizia and Pithecellobium species.