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
Singing Quail
Dactylortyx thoracicus
Small, retiring quail of forest understory. Rarely seen, but can be located by listening for noisy rustling in the leaf litter as birds scratch like chickens. Prefers to run away rather than flush. Loud song often reveals its presence, given mainly early and late in the day: first few notes similar to Little Tinamou song, but then breaks into rollicking choruses that can be almost deafening if close by. Male has rusty face and gray body, female colors reversed, with gray face and rusty body.
Plain Bush-hen
Amaurornis olivacea
A large ground bird of grass, scrub, and forest edge, usually close to water. Slate-gray on the head and underparts, blending to a brown back and tail. Note the greenish-yellow bill and the long yellow legs. Similar to Tabon Scrubfowl, but usually found near water and outside of forest, and distinguished by yellow legs, thicker bill, and lack of bare facial skin. Highly vocal and much more often heard than seen. Voice includes a rhythmic quacking and harsh rasps.
New Guinea Bronzewing
Henicophaps albifrons
A large, distinctive pigeon of lowland and montane forest. Long bill, white forehead and dark reddish neck. Metallic bronze, green and blue bands in the wing. Feeds on the forest floor and perches upright on a branch, bobbing its head. Shy and difficult to see. Thick-billed Ground-Pigeon is a similar size but has a white cheek rather than forehead and lacks iridescence in the wing. Voice, a repeated series of rapid, upslurred “woop” notes.
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