Capuchinbird
Perissocephalus tricolor
Large, bizarre bird of tall rainforest. Unmistakable even when seen briefly, as they often are, flying quickly across roads or rivers. Appears broad-winged and mostly burnt orange with a disproportionately small head. Feeds on fruit in the forest canopy. Far-carrying display call of lekking males is one of the strangest avian sounds, similar to a distant chain saw or cow; males on leks can seem almost oblivious to human observers.
Identification
The capuchinbird is a large thick-set suboscine passerine with a relatively heavy bill. Adults weigh between 340 and 420 grams (12 and 15 oz) and are typically around 40 centimetres (16 in) long, making it the largest suboscine passerine, apart from the Amazonian and long-wattled umbrellabirds – indeed, females average larger than any female umbrellabird. Its plumage is overall rich brown, approaching orange on the belly and undertail coverts, and the remiges and short tail are black. The most distinctive feature is its bare, almost vulture-like head covered in dull blue skin. Juveniles resemble adults, with the exception of some downy feathers on the head.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Perissocephalus tricolor
- Authority
- (Müller, PLS, 1776)
- Order
- Caprimulgiformes
- Family
- Cotingidae
- Genus
- Perissocephalus
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
They gather in leks where they "sing". The "song" is very odd and difficult to describe accurately, although some have compared it to the distant sound of a chainsaw or (as indicated by its alternative name "calfbird") a young cow mooing. The nest is small and rather scanty and is normally found in close proximity to the lek. Capuchinbirds eat mainly fruits and insects.
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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Medium-sized honeyeater found in coastal habitats of eastern Australia. Back is brown-green, breast is gray, and underparts are pale. Distinguished from Varied Honeyeater by presence of clear barring on the throat and lack of yellow underparts and breast streaking. Usually found in or around mangroves, where it is typically quite conspicuous and vocal.
Vegetarian Finch
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A large and rather parrot-billed Galápagos finch. Bill is about as long as it is deep, with a very round upper edge and slightly curved lower edge. Male has a black hood and bill, a sooty back, and a yellowish belly with dark streaks. Female is tan with a pale bill, a whitish or yellowish belly, and brown streaks on the underparts. Very similar to Large Tree-Finch, which is smaller and smaller-billed. Most likely to be encountered in forest at middle elevations on the larger islands. Not present on the islands of Española, Genovesa, and Santa Fé.
Anjouan Sunbird
Cinnyris comorensis
A small sunbird with a relatively short, slightly downcurved bill. Males are colorful, with green and blue iridescence on the head and breast and a maroon band above the black belly. Females are fairly drab, with streaked dull-yellow underparts. Found in all habitats on the island of Anjouan in the Comoros. In its small range, it is the only sunbird, so it is easily identified by its bill shape. The song is a typical sunbird jumble of high-pitched notes, and the call is a rising whine.
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