Cock-of-the-rock

Cock-of-the-rock
Male Andean cock-of-the-rock
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Passeriformes
Family:	Cotingidae
Genus:	Rupicola Brisson, 1760
Species
Rupicola rupicola Rupicola peruvianus

The cock-of-the-rock, which compose the genus Rupicola, are South American cotingid birds. The Andean cock-of-the-rock is the national bird of Peru.^[1]

They are found in tropical and subtropical rainforests close to rocky areas, where they build their nests.

The males are magnificent birds, not only because of their bright orange or red colors, but also because of their very prominent fan-shaped crests. Like some other cotingids, they have a complex courtship behaviour, performing impressive lek displays.

The females are overall brownish with hints of the brilliant colors of the males. Females build nests on rocky cliffs or large boulders, and raise the young on their own. They usually lay two eggs.

Except during the mating season, these birds are wary animals and difficult to see in the rainforest canopy. They primarily feed on fruits and berries and may be important dispersal agents for rainforest seeds. ^[2]

Species

There are two species:

• Andean cock-of-the-rock (Rupicola peruvianus)
• Guianan cock-of-the-rock (Rupicola rupicola)

The Andean cock-of-the-rock is found throughout the cloud forests of Peru and Ecuador.

The Guianan cock-of-the-rock is found in French Guiana, Suriname, Guyana, southern Venezuela, eastern Colombia and northern Amazonian Brazil.

References