Black-tipped Cotinga
Carpodectes hopkei
This stunning cotinga is found only from extreme eastern Panama to northwest Ecuador. Males are unmistakable in range: entirely snowy white with a reddish eye and tiny black spots on the wingtips and tail. Females are gray with white edges on the wing feathers. Note chunky shape and short square tail. Occurs singly or in pairs, usually perched in the canopy of mature forest in lowlands and foothills, sometimes around a fruiting tree. Flies with deep rowing wingbeats.
Identification
The black-tipped cotinga reaches an adult length of 9 to 10 inches (23 to 25 cm) and has a black bill, red eyes and short rounded wings. The male is pure white except for a narrow black tip to the outer wing feathers and, in young individuals, a black tip to the central tail feathers. The female looks very different, having the head and upper parts brownish-grey, and the wings and tail brownish-black. The wing-coverts and the inner flight feathers have broad white margins. The underparts are pale grey fading to white on the belly.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Carpodectes hopkei
- Authority
- Berlepsch, 1897
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Cotingidae
- Genus
- Carpodectes
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
The white plumage of the male makes it very conspicuous, especially when it perches on an emergent branch high above the canopy or when it flies in its typical slow, looping manner. It is more gregarious than birds in the closely related genus Cotinga, often making swooping flights in mixed-sex groups. No song or call is known for this bird.
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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Todus mexicanus
A tiny, brilliant-green resident of wooded habitats. There are no similar species within its range. Typically perches at low to middle levels in the forest and sallies forth to snag insects from the undersides of leaves. When not actively pursuing a meal, sits rather motionless. Most active, and thus most easily seen, when the sun comes out following rain. Most often first detected by its voice: a loud buzzy “zhip, zhip.”
Sulawesi White-eye
Zosterops consobrinorum
A small songbird with a bold white eye-ring, dark eyes, a green back and forehead, a yellow throat and base to undertail, and a white belly. Groups and pairs roam woods, forest edges and patches, gardens, cultivated spaces, and scrub. Confined to lowlands of southeast Sulawesi. Occurs at lower elevations than Warbling White-eye, and differs from it in the dark eye and green forehead. Separated from Lemon-bellied White-eye by the white belly. Gives a slow-paced, high-pitched descending tinkling song, “chi-chiwit-chit-cher-cher.” Also high “zit” notes.
White-throated Screech-Owl
Megascops albogularis
Large screech-owl found in temperate forests, typically from around 2,300–3,400 m. Quite dark brown overall with small pale spots and bars covering head, back, and wings. Belly is paler tawny with dark streaks. White throat patch is usually obvious. Sexes similar. Strictly nocturnal and thus more often heard than seen; listen for a fairly short and slow series of toots that descends in pitch, often given as a duet.
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