Spangled cotinga

Cotinga cayana

Photo by Greg Hume (Wikipedia)

Common name:
spangled cotinga (en); cotinga-pintada (pt); cotinga de Cayenne (fr); cotinga celeste (es); türkisblaue kotinga (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Cotingidae

Range:
This species is found in northern South America, east of the Andes, from eastern Colombia and south eastern Venezuela south to Mato Grosso in central Brazil, and to central Bolivia.

Size:
These birds are 20-21,5 cm long and weigh 55-75 g.

Habitat:
The spangled cotinga is found in the canopy of moist tropical forests, mainly from sea level up to an altitude of 800 m, but occasionally up to 1.300 m.

Diet:
They are mainly frugivorous, taking various berries and fruits, but also eat some insects.

Breeding:
There is no information regarding the reproduction of this species.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a very large breeding range but is described as uncommon. The spangled cotinga is suspected to lose 14-16% of suitable habitat within its range over the next decade, based on a model of Amazonian deforestation, so is suspected suffer a small decline in the near future.

Fiery-throated fruiteater

Pipreola chlorolepidota

Photo by Dusan Brinkhuizen (Internet Bird Collection)

Common name:
fiery-throated fruiteater (en); anambé-de-garganta-vermelha (pt); cotinga à gorge rouge (fr); frutero gorjirrojo (es); orangekehlkotinga (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Cotingidae

Range:
This species is found in the eastern foothills of the Andes from southern Colombia to central Peru.

Size:
These birds are 12-13 cm long and weigh about 30 g.

Habitat:
The fiery-throated fruiteater is found in moist tropical forests, at altitudes of 600-1.200 m.

Diet:
They feed on various fruits, often joining mixed-species foraging flocks.

Breeding:
Fiery-throated fruiteaters breed in April-June. The nest is built mainly by the female and consists of a shallow bowl made of mosses and liverworts, and lined with briophyte roots and rootlets. It is placed in an horizontal fork in a tree, about 8 m above the ground. There the female lays 2 creamy white eggs with dark brown spots which she incubates alone for 17-22 days. The chicks are fed by both parents and fledge 20 days after hatching.

Conservation:
IUCN status - NT (Near-Threatened)
This species has a relatively large breeding range, but is described as rare to uncommon and patchily distributed. The fiery-throated fruiteater is suspected to lose 26% of suitable habitat within its distribution over the next decade, based on a model of Amazonian deforestation , being therefore suspected to suffer a moderate decline in the near future. The main threat to this species is habitat loss, through conversion to agriculture and cattle pasture, mining operations, oil exploration and logging, and widespread destruction being caused by peasant farmers and tea and coffee growers.

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.

Chestnut-crested cotinga

Ampelion rufaxilla

Photo by Lior Kislev (Internet Bird Collection)

Common name:
chestnut-crested cotinga (en); cotinga-de-crista-castanha (pt); cotinga à tête rousse (fr); cotinga cresticastaño (es); braunohrkotinga (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Cotingidae

Range:
This South American species is found in the Andes from Colombia to Bolivia. In Colombia it occurs in the central Andes south to Quindío and Huila, and in the western Andes in Valle and Cauca. In Ecuador it is found in the east slope of the Andes in the north-east and south-east of the country, but not in intervening areas. Further south it is continuously distributed along the east slope of the Andes of Peru south to central Bolivia in Cochabamba and western Santa Cruz.

Size:
These birds are 18,5-23 cm long and weigh 69-77 g.

Habitat:
The chestnut-crested cotinga is found in the canopy of mountain rainforests, at altitudes of 1.300-3.000 m.

Diet:
They are mainly frugivorous but also known to take insects in flight.

Breeding:
Chestnut-crested cotingas breed probably in November-May. The nest is a shallow cup made of twigs and lichens, where the female lays a single greenish egg with dark spots. The eggs are incubated by both sexes but there is no information regarding the length of the incubation and fledgling periods.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a relatively large breeding range and is described as uncommon and patchily distributed. The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats.

Red-ruffed fruitcrow

Pyroderus scutatus

Photo by Mauricio Rueda (Internet Bird Collection)

Common name:
red-ruffed fruitcrow (en); pavó (pt); coracine ignite (fr); yacú toro (es); rotkehlkotinga (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Cotingidae

Range:
This species is found in two separate populations, one in Venezuela, western Colombia and northern Peru, and another in south-eastern Brazil and Paraguay.

Size:
These birds are 38-50 cm and weigh about 350 g.

Habitat:
The red-ruffed fruitcrow is mostly found in rainforests, but also in dry tropical forests, at altitudes of 600-2.700 m.

Diet:
They feed on fruits and berries, namely Cecropia sp., both picking the fruits from the branches and collecting fallen fruits on the ground.

Breeding:
Red-ruffed fruitcrows breed in March-June. They nest on a large, untidy cup made of twigs, placed on a large branch near the trunk of a tree, 3,5-11 m above the ground. There the female lays a singe egg which she incubates alone for 20-24 days. The chick is fed by both parents and fledges about 35 days after hatching.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a very large breeding range but is described as uncommon and patchily distributed. Populations in some areas are declining due to habitat destruction and the species is also hunted for food, but it is not considered threatened at present.

Bearded bellbird

Procnias averano

Photo by Steve Garvie (Birds of the World)

Common name:
bearded bellbird (en); araponga-do-nordeste (pt); araponga barbu (fr); campanero barbudo (es); bartkotinga (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Cotingidae

Range:
This species is found in two disjunct subspecies. P. a. carnobara is found in Venezuela, Trinidad, Guyana and marginally into northern Brazil, while P. a. averano is found in north-eastern Brazil, from Maranhão to Alagoas and Bahía.

Size:
These birds 27-29 cm long and weigh 127-178 g.

Habitat:
The bearded bellbird is found in tropical rainforests and adjacent tall second growth. To a lesser extent also in dry forests and caatinga. They are present from sea level up to an altitude of 1.900 m.

Diet:
They mainly eat fruits and berries, especially those of Lauraceae, Burseraceae, Araliaeae and Melastomataceae.

Breeding:
Bearded bellbirds breed in April-November, varying between different parts of their range. They are polygamous, with the males performing displays in a lek and mating with several females, after which they have no further part in the reproductive process. The female builds the nest, a shallow cup made of fine twigs, placed in a tall tree up to 15 m above the ground. There she lays a single buff-coloured egg with dark brown markings, which she incubated alone for 23 days. The chicks fledge 30-33 days after hatching.

Conservation:
IUCN status -  LC (Least Concern)
This species has a large breeding range but is is described as uncommon and patchily distributed. The population has declined locally in north-eastern Brazil as a result of extensive trapping for the cage bird trade and habitat destruction, but the bearded bellbird is not considered threatened at present.

Capuchinbird

Perissocephalus tricolor

(Photo from Zoo Chat)

Common name:
capuchinbird (en); maú (pt); coracine chauve (fr); pájaro capuchino (es); kapuzinerkotinga (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Cotingidae

Range:
This species is found in northern Brazil, north of the Amazon river, in the Guyanas, in south-eastern Venezuela and marginally across the border into Colombia.

Size:
These birds are 34,5-36 cm long. Males weigh 320-395 while the smaller females weigh 265-365 g.

Habitat:
The capuchinbird is found in the canopies of rainforests, from sea level up to an altitude of 1.400 m. Notably, in Venezuela they are found in forested slopes of tepuis.

Diet:
These birds are mainly frugivorous, eating the fruits of a number of plant species, especially
Lauraceae, Burseraceae, and Arecaceae. They also take large athropods such as grasshoppers, phasmids, caterpillars and spiders. They are known to occasionally hunt bats.

Breeding:
Capuchinbirds are polygynous. The males form a lek, where they perform a series of displays to attract females. After mating the male has no further part in the breeding process. The nest is a small cup made of twigs, placed in a fork near the end of a branch, on the forests understory 4-6 m above the ground. There she lays a single pale ground khaki colour egg with sepia and light brown blotches, which she incubates alone for 26-27 days. The chick is fed by the female alone and fledges about 27 days after hatching.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a very large breeding range and is described as uncommon. The population trend is believed to be stable but the capuchinbird is affected by logging and models of Amazon deforestation suggest they will loose 8% of suitable habitat in the near future.

Purple-throated fruitcrow

Querula purpurata

Photo by Paul Willoughby (Internet Bird Collection)

Common name:
purple-throated fruitcrow (en); anambé-una (pt); coracine noire (fr); frutero gorgirrojo (es); purpurbrustkotinga (de)


Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Cotingidae


Range:
This species is found from Nicaragua and Costa Rica to northern Bolivia, the Guyanas and northern Brazil, down to Mato Grosso, Tocantins and Maranhão.


Size:
These birds are 22-30 cm long and weigh 105-115 g.


Habitat:
These birds are found in lowland rainforests, from sea level up to an altitude of 1.000 m.


Diet:
The purple-throated fruitcrow forages on the forest canopy, feeding on insects and fruits.


Breeding:
They form family groups of 3-8 individuals who breed cooperatively. Only one pair breeds, nesting on an untidy cup of small twigs, lined with even smaller twigs. The female lays 1-2 eggs which are incubated by all group members for 24-25 days. The chicks are fed by all group members and fledge 32-33 days after hatching.


Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a very large breeding range and is described as fairly common. The population is believed to be declining, due to the rapid deforestation of the Amazon forest, and this decline may be over 10% per decade. Despite this, the population is not considered threatened at present.

Sharpbill

Oxyruncus cristatus

(Photo from Bird Forum)

Common name:
sharpbill (en); araponga-do-horto (pt); oxyrhynque huppé (fr); picoagudo (es); flammenkopfkotinga (de)


Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Cotingidae


Range:
This species is found in a series of disjunct areas from Costa Rica to south-eastern Brazil, including the tepuis of southern Venezuela and the Guianas, Amapa, eastern Para, the Brazilian coast from Bahia to Santa Catarina, and various spots on the eastern slopes of the Andes.


Size:
The sharpbill is 17-18 cm long and weighs 40-45 g.


Habitat:
These birds are found in tropical and sub-tropical moist forests, generally preferring dense, tall forests, but but occasionally venturing to the forest edge. They are present from sea level up to an altitude of 1.200 m.


Diet:
They mostly eat fruits, but will also take small arthropods and their larvae.


Breeding:
Shapbills nest in a small cup-shaped nest, built by the female out of moss, lichens and spider webs, glued together with saliva. The female lays 2 eggs, which she incubates alone for 14-24 days. The chicks fledge 25-30 days after hatching.


Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least concern)
This species has a very large breeding range, but it is described as uncommon and patchily distributed. It is not considered threatened at present.

Long-wattled umbrellabird

Cephalopterus penduliger

(Photo from Flickr)

Common name:

long-wattled umbrellabird (en); anambé-papudo (pt); coracine casquée (fr); paragüero corbatudo (es); langlappen-schirmvogel (de)

Taxonomy:

Order Passeriformes

Family Cotingidae

Range:

This South American species is only found in the Pacific slopes and adjacent lowlands of south-west Colombia and western Ecuador.

Size:

These birds are 38-51 cm long and have a wingspan of 66-71 cm. They weigh 320-570 g.

Habitat:

The long-wattled umbrellabird is found in both humid and wet forests, but also in second growth areas, appearing to be somewhat tolerant of degraded habitats and human activity. They are present at altitudes of 80-1.800 m.

Diet:

This species often eats fruits and seeds, being an important seed disperser within its range. They also eat amphibians, snakes, Anolis spp. lizards, spiders and various insects including butterflies and caterpillars, cicadas, grasshoppers and walking sticks.

Breeding:

These birds possibly breed all year round, with males forming leks where they perform elaborate displays using their crest and their huge wattle and making grunting vocalisations to attract a mate. After mating, the female is solely responsible for building the nest, incubating the eggs and brooding the chicks. The nest is an open, bulky cup made of dry sticks and lined with thinner twigs, epiphyte roots, tree fern twigs and mosses, placed at the top of a tree fern Cyathea sp. There the female lays 1 whitish egg with brown speckles, which she incubates for 27-28 days. The chick fledges 8-10 weeks after hatching.

Conservation:

IUCN status - VU (Vulnerable)

This species has a small and fragmented breeding range and a global population estimated at 10.000-20.000 individuals. The population is suspected to be facing a rapid and on-going decline. The main threats to this species are the high hunting pressure and the rapid habitat loss caused by deforestation. The intensive agricultural development, especially oil palm and banana plantations and livestock-farming, together with the rapid expansion of the road network, illegal coca plantations and gold mining are the main drivers of the current rate of habitat loss.

Andean cock-of-the-rock

Rupicola peruvianus

Photo by Garry Bakker (PBase)

Common name:

Andean cock-of-the-rock (en); galo-das-rochas-dos-Andes (pt); coq-de-roche péruvien (fr); gallito de las rocas (es); Andenklippenvogel (de)

Taxonomy:

Order Passeriformes

Family Cotingidae

Range:

This species is found in the Andean slopes of Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia.

Size:

These birds are 30-32 cm long and weigh 230-250 g.

Habitat:

Andean cocks-of-the-rock are found in mountain cloud forests, especially in ravines and along forest streams. They are found at altitudes of 500-2.400 m.

Diet:

They are mostly frugivorous eating a wide variety of forest fruits. They have an important role as seed dispersers in the forest. These birds also eat insects, small frogs and lizards and are known to follow army ants to gather food.

Breeding:

This species breeds in October-February. They are polygamous, with males performing elaborate displays in communal leks and having nothing to do with nesting once mating is done. Each female builds a mud nest plastered to to cave entrances or rocky outcrops in forest ravines. There she lays 2 white eggs which she incubates alone for 25-28 days. The chicks are raised by the female and fledge 40-44 days after hatching, but remain with their mother for the next 3 months.

Conservation:

IUCN status - LC (Least concern)

This species has a large breeding range and, although the global population size has not been quantified, this species is described as uncommon and patchily distributed. This species suffers habitat loss due to forests being converted to farmland, but the population is believed to be stable and the species is not considered threatened at present.

Rufous-tailed plantcutter

Phytotoma rara

Photo by James Lowen (Arkive)

Common name:

rufous-tailed plantcutter (en); corta-ramos-de-cauda-ruiva (pt); rara à queue rousse (fr); rara (es); rotschwanz-pflanzenmäher (de)

Taxonomy:

Order Passeriformes

Family Cotingidae

Range:

This South American species in only found in Chile and Argentina. In Chile they are found from Magallanes north to Atacama, while in Argentina they occur from Santa Cruz north to Mendoza.

Size:

The rufous-tailed plantcutter is 18-20 cm long and weighs 38-52 g.

Habitat:

They are found from sea level up to an altitude of 2.700 m, in open forests and thorny scrubland, as well as in farmland, orchards and gardens.

Diet:

This species is mostly herbivorous, showing a preference for leaves, shoots and buds. they will occasionally also take fruits and insects.

Breeding:

The rufous-tailed pantcutter has two distinct breeding seasons, in October-November and in December-January. The nest is built by both sexes, consisting of a loosely built cup made from dry twigs, padded with root fibers, and usually placed 1-3 m above the ground in a thick thorny scrub. the female lays 2-4 blue-green eggs with dark spots. The female incubates the eggs alone, but the incubation period is not known. The chicks are fed by both parents, eating only insects

Conservation:

IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)

Although the species is described as uncommon, they have a relatively large breeding range. There is no evidence for any declines or substantial threats, and the species is known to use secondary forests, agricultural areas and even gardens, so it appears to be relatively tolerant of disturbance. Owing to its habit of eating the young leaves of cereal crops and causing damage to orchards, it is considered an agricultural pest in parts of its range. It is not considered threatened at present.