Black-and-gold cotinga

Tijuca atra

Photo by Luiz Ribenboim (Internet Bird Collection)

Common name:
black-and-gold cotinga (en); saudade (pt); cotinga noir (fr); cotinga negro (es); goldflügelkotinga (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Cotingidae

Range:
This species is endemic to south-eastern Brazil, occuring in Rio de Janeiro, extreme eastern São Paulo and adjacent areas of southern Minas Gerais.

Size:
These birds are 24-27,5 cm long.

Habitat:
The black-and-gold cotinga is found in the canopy and middle levels of mountain Atlantic forests, the endemic moist tropical forests of south-eastern Brazil. they are present at altitudes of 1.100-2.100 m.

Diet:
They are mainly frugivorous taking various fruits and berries such as those of Euterpe edulis, Rapanea umbellata, Rapanea gardeneriana, Cecropia sp., Eugenia uniflora and Amaranthus sp. They also take some insects.

Breeding:
Black-and-gold cotingas possibly breed in September-December, but nothing else is known about their reproduction.

Conservation:
IUCN status - NT (Near-Threatened)
This species has a relatively large breeding range but is described as uncommon. The population is suspected to be in decline owing to ongoing habitat destruction. However, destruction of its mountain Atlantic forest has been much less extensive than in adjacent lowland areas. The black-and-gold cotinga is occasionally hunted for food.