Cock-of-the-rock
Encyclopedia
The Cock-of-the-rock, which compose the genus
Rupicola, are South America
n cotingid birds. The Andean Cock-of-the-rock
is the national bird of Peru
.
They are found in tropical and subtropical rainforest
s close to rocky areas, where they build their nests. Like some other cotingids, they have a complex court behaviour, performing impressive lek displays.
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. The far duller females are overall brownish. They are wary animals and primarily feed on fruits and berries.
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
Rupicola, are South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
n cotingid birds. The Andean Cock-of-the-rock
Andean Cock-of-the-rock
The Andean Cock-of-the-rock is a medium-sized passerine bird of the Cotinga family native to Andean cloud forests in South America. The plural is Andean Cocks-of-the-rock...
is the national bird of Peru
Peru
Peru , officially the Republic of Peru , is a country in western South America. It is bordered on the north by Ecuador and Colombia, on the east by Brazil, on the southeast by Bolivia, on the south by Chile, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean....
.
They are found in tropical and subtropical rainforest
Rainforest
Rainforests are forests characterized by high rainfall, with definitions based on a minimum normal annual rainfall of 1750-2000 mm...
s close to rocky areas, where they build their nests. Like some other cotingids, they have a complex court behaviour, performing impressive lek displays.
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. The far duller females are overall brownish. They are wary animals and primarily feed on fruits and berries.
Species
There are two species:- Andean Cock-of-the-rockAndean Cock-of-the-rockThe Andean Cock-of-the-rock is a medium-sized passerine bird of the Cotinga family native to Andean cloud forests in South America. The plural is Andean Cocks-of-the-rock...
(Rupicola peruvianus) - Guianan Cock-of-the-rockGuianan Cock-of-the-rockThe Guianan Cock-of-the-rock, Rupicola rupicola, is a South American passerine about 30 cm in length. The bright orange male has an extraordinary half-moon crest, which is used is competitive displays in lek gatherings to attract a female....
(Rupicola rupicola)