Rose-collared Piha
Lipaugus streptophorus
Medium-sized, gray bird of tepui highlands. Male is unmistakable with pink collar and undertail coverts; female lacks pink collar. Generally occurs above 800 meters on tepui slopes, where it is an uncommon resident of the mid-story and canopy of tall forest; moves sluggishly and can be difficult to detect when not vocalizing. Feeds mainly on fruit, and is usually encountered alone but may associate with other species at fruiting trees. Most common vocalization is a single sharp rising whistled note, which may be lengthened and slurred downward, given at fairly long intervals. Size, shape and behavior recall Screaming Piha, which does not occur in tepui highlands.
Identification
The adult male rose-collared piha has the upper parts dark grey and the underparts slightly paler grey, especially on the belly. Round the neck is a conspicuous broad magenta collar and there is a similar patch of colour round the vent. The female is similar to the male but lacks the magenta collar, and the area around the vent is rusty-brown. This bird grows to a length of about 22.5 cm (9 in). The male is unlikely to be confused with any other species, but the female could be confused with the female screaming piha (Lipaugus vociferans), but that species is a uniform grey and lacks the rufous area round the vent. The call is also very different, the rose-collared piha male occasionally emitting a loud, sharp "skreeéyr".
Taxonomy
Genus: Lipaugus; Family: Cotingidae; Order: Passeriformes.
- Scientific name
- Lipaugus streptophorus
- Authority
- (Salvin & Godman, 1884)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Cotingidae
- Genus
- Lipaugus
Range and habitat
The rose-collared piha has a small range in humid forests in Guyana, Venezuela and Brazil. It is usually seen in the middle and upper storeys of the forest, sometimes at the fringes of the woodland, in clearings and in open areas with more widely separated trees. It may be seen singly or in pairs. It feeds mainly on fruit, especially that of Melastomataceae, plucked while in flight.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: stable.
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds

Plain-backed Pipit
Anthus leucophrys
Large pipit with buffy outer tail feathers and a plain or very diffusely streaked back. Found in open areas with very short grass and also sometimes in agricultural fields. Call is a scratchy “tchit”. Song is a series of high then low notes, like a question that is being answered over and over. Often sings from the ground. Extremely similar to Buffy Pipit but separated by the yellowish rather than pink base to the bill.

Coppersmith Barbet
Psilopogon haemacephalus
A small, widespread, and cute little barbet with streaked underparts and a well-patterned face. Most populations have a red forehead, yellow around the eye and throat, and a black eyestripe all bordered at the rear of the crown by a black band. Also note red “badge” on upper chest. Female averages duller than the male, with some yellow on a narrower red “badge”. Immature lacks all red and has faint streaking on the throat. Subspecies in Sumatra, Nusa Tenggara, and the central Philippines have bright red-and-black faces. While common, can be hard to see; listen instead for its call, a prolonged and unmistakable “kuk-kuk-kuk.” Favors open woodlands, forest edge, and gardens in lowland and foothill areas; ranges up into higher elevations in the Philippines and Indonesia.

Red-necked Spurfowl
Pternistis afer
Large, chunky francolin with bare red skin on the throat and around the eye. There is much geographical variation in the presence or extent of white on the face, black-and-white streaking below, and black on the belly. Found in a wide range of habitats, including moist savanna, grassland, thickets, cultivation, and forest edge. The call is a series of rough “krek” notes, sometimes with a rollicking introduction. Bare red throat separates it from most other francolins. In areas of overlap with Swainson’s or Gray-breasted Francolins, Red-necked can be identified by black-and-white striped underparts.
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