Red-crested Cotinga
Ampelion rubrocristatus
This plump gray bird is a regular sight atop patches of trees from the temperate forest zone to above treeline in the Andes from Venezuela to Bolivia. The plumage is unremarkable at first glance: both sexes are medium gray with a darker face, blackish wings, and a white band on the tail (visible in flight). The namesake red crest is usually laid flat down the nape, but is occasionally raised into a spectacular splayed bouquet of feathers. Singles or pairs are usually seen perched conspicuously. Found in forested areas, but does not require high-quality intact forest, and can be found in surprisingly small patches of bushes and trees in agricultural areas.
Identification
A male red-crested cotinga averages around the size 21-21.5 cm; males 51-80g and females vary around 47-67g. A Plain cotinga with long crests usually lay flat along a nape; they can be conspicuously displayed raised and spread transversely. The red-crested cotinga plumage is gray, darker on the head, wings, and tail, nuchal crest chestnut-maroon, white streaking in tail-coverts above and below extending degrees across the rump. Red-crested cotinga has extensive pale feather fringes and a brownish-red coloration on the head and neck. Immature red-crested cotinga with lighter coloring than an adult, pale feather fringes, scattered red color primarily on head and neck, and undergoes a series of successions before acquiring adult plumage.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Ampelion rubrocristatus
- Authority
- (d'Orbigny & Lafresnaye, 1837)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Cotingidae
- Genus
- Ampelion
Range and habitat
The red-crested cotinga is found on the wedges of cloud forest, inhabits patches of trees and bushes, and is locally found in hedgerows with trees bordering agricultural land. The habitat type of the red-crested cotinga is forest, artificial, and a terrestrial system.
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
The Red-crested Cotinga is not threatened globally and it’s fairly common. Their tolerance range is very wide and they have a variety of disturbed habitats to ensure that they survive. Their protected areas range from Sierra Nevada National Park (Venezuela), Munchique National Park(Colombia), to Podocarpus National Park (Ecuador).
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Chaco Owl
Strix chacoensis
Large owl of Chaco forest in SE Bolivia, W Paraguay, and NW Argentina. Note round head, barred underparts, and whitish throat. Song a distinctive dry rattled series of hoots. Prefers tall arid thorn forest.
Buff-breasted Babbler
Pellorneum tickelli
Rather graceful-looking brown babbler with a long tail and long legs. Averages paler below than above, but generally unmarked. Inhabits foothill forests with dense undergrowth, where it forages close to or on the ground. Almost completely unmarked appearance distinguishes it from most other babblers in range. Listen for its loud, strident song, a repetitive “wit-wee, wit-wee, wit-wee.” Calls include rattling trills, a harsh descending laugh, and sharp single notes.
Madagascar Wagtail
Motacilla flaviventris
Elegant, long-tailed bird with a gray back, pale underparts, and a black chest band. White wing patch and outer tail are conspicuous in flight. Madagascar endemic that is found in most open habitats, especially those near water. Absent or scarce in some dry areas of the west and north. Feeds by walking along the ground, bobbing its tail constantly. Call is a tearing “tseeeiow”.
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