Three-wattled Bellbird
Procnias tricarunculatus
Male is unmistakable. Body dark rufous, head and breast gleaming white, with three bare wattles hanging down off the bill. Usually perches conspicuously when singing; the far-carrying bell-like notes and strange metallic alien noises are fascinating additions to the forest cacophony. Female is completely different, overall dull olive with yellower streaking on underparts. The fairly large size, plump shape, small rounded head, and plain face help with identification. Found in forests, usually in the canopy. Easiest to find when singing, but also feeds at fruiting trees.
Identification
One of four species of bellbird that live in Central and South America, the three-wattled bellbird is between 25 cm (9.8 in) and 30 cm (12 in) long. The body, tail, and wings of the male are uniformly chestnut-brown; its head, neck, and upper breast are white; and it has a black eye-ring, eye-stripe, and bill. Its name comes from the three worm-like wattles of skin that hang from the base of the bill. These wattles can be as long as 10 cm (3.9 in) when extended during songs and interactions. The wattles remain flaccid even when extended. The male shakes the wattles, but otherwise they hang straight down; they are neither erectile nor under muscular control. The side wattles do not stick out to the sides and the central one is not extended directly skywards as shown on some old illustrations and specimens. The purpose of the wattles is unclear. <p>The female bellbirds are smaller and less striking in appearance, being overall olive with yellowish streaking below, pure yellow vent and no wattles. The females blend into the surroundings of the forest, which helps them hide its nests from predators. The nests are very difficult to spot. As of January 2019, only six nests had been found in Monteverde, according to the council for the Bellbird Biological Corridor. <p>Juvenile males are often confused with females; they have the same coloring as females until they reach sexual maturity at age 7. As they age, the males slowly molt the green and brown feathers and begin to grow the striking white and copper coat. They do not begin to grow their wattles until they are 1 to 2 years old, and the wattles continue to grow for the entirety of the male bird's life.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Procnias tricarunculatus
- Authority
- (Verreaux, J & Verreaux, É, 1853)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Cotingidae
- Genus
- Procnias
Range and habitat
Famous for having one of the most unusual and distinct vocalizations of any bird in its range, the three-wattled bellbird exists from western Honduras south to eastern Panama. Bellbirds breed primarily in Costa Rican highlands in the cloud forest (March–September) and return to lower elevations in the mangroves for the interim months.
- Migration
- Vertical migration
Behavior
The species is completely frugivorous; it swallows the fruits from trees in the Lauraceae family, of which the avocado is a member. The bellbird performs an important role in seed dispersal. It regurgitates the seeds it cannot digest and deposits them in gap areas beneath song perches, which nearly doubles seedling survival rate.
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Sulu Cuckooshrike
Coracina guillemardi
Sleek but sturdy gray bird with fierce pale eyes, endemic to the Sulu Archipelago, in the southwestern Philippines. Uniform overall, but darker on the tail, wingtips, and between the eye and bill. Inhabits lowland and foothill forest and forest edge, where forages at middle and upper levels, sometimes associating with other species. Gives a range of high-pitched and scratchy calls, including repeated squeal-whistles. Formerly treated as part of a more broadly-defined “Bar-bellied Cuckooshrike.”
Sooretama Slaty-Antshrike
Thamnophilus ambiguus
Small antshrike found in the lower and middle level of woodlands and second growth. Males are gray with a dark cap and black wings and tail that have prominent white bars and spots. Females are rufous with a grayish face, dark wings, and a similar pattern of spotting on the wings. The song is loud and long: a series of around 20 descending notes with an abrupt finish. Resembles Variable Antshrike, males of which are darker and females more rufescent.
Guadalcanal Hooded Whistler
Pachycephala implicata
A distinctive whistler of dark, dingy appearance. Body color is a dank mossy olive, with a slate-gray throat and a black cap. Hood often appears one-colored in forest light. Female is golden below and olive above with a gray head and a white throat. Mainly found in primary forest above 1100 meters of elevation, but does wander lower. Occurs together with Oriole Whistler, but differs in the male’s lack of a bright golden throat, neck, and belly and the female’s olive back and unstreaked underparts. Voice includes a sequence of loud, almost electronic staccato whistles.
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