Cotinga
Encyclopedia
The cotingas are a large family of passerine
bird
species
found in Central America
and tropical South America
. Cotingas are birds of forests or forest edges, which mostly eat fruit or insect
s and fruit
. Comparatively little is known about this diverse group, although all have broad bills with hooked tips, rounded wings, and strong legs. They may be the most diverse passerine family in body size, ranging from the 8-cm Kinglet Calyptura
to the 50-cm male Amazonian Umbrellabird
, although the smaller bird may not be a true cotinga.
The males of many species, such as the cock-of-the-rock
s, are brightly coloured, or decorated with plumes or wattles, like the umbrellabird
s, with their umbrella-like crest and long throat wattles. Some, like the bellbirds and the Screaming Piha
, have distinctive and far-carrying calls. The females of most species are duller than the males.
Most species are polygynous
, and only the females care for the eggs and young. Both brilliant male colors and loud vocalizations are the result of sexual selection
. Many have striking courtship displays, often grouped together in leks. In such canopy
-dwelling genera as Carpodectes
, Cotinga
, and Xipholena
, males gather high in a single tree or in adjacent trees, but male cocks-of-the-rock, as befits their more terrestrial lives, give their elaborate displays in leks on the ground.
On the other hand, the Purple-throated Fruitcrow
lives in mixed-sex groups in which one female lays an egg and the others help provide insects to the chick.
Nests differ greatly. Many species lay a single egg in a nest so flimsy that the egg can be seen from underneath. This may make the nests hard for predators to find. Fruiteaters build more solid cup nests, and the cocks-of-the-rock attach their mud nests to cliffs.
(genera Laniisoma, Laniocera
and Iodopleura) or incertae sedis
(genera Oxyruncus, Phibalura and Calyptura).
FAMILY: COTINGIDAE Genus: Cotinga
(7 species)
Genus: Xipholena
(3 species)
Genus: Carpodectes
(3 species)
Genus: Conioptilon
Genus: Gymnoderus
Genus: Haematoderus
Genus: Querula
Genus: Pyroderus
Genus: Cephalopterus
- umbrellabirds (3 species)
Genus: Perissocephalus
Genus: Procnias - Neotropical bellbirds (4 species)
Genus: Rupicola
- cock-of-the-rocks (2 species)
Passerine
A passerine is a bird of the order Passeriformes, which includes more than half of all bird species. Sometimes known as perching birds or, less accurately, as songbirds, the passerines form one of the most diverse terrestrial vertebrate orders: with over 5,000 identified species, it has roughly...
bird
Bird
Birds are feathered, winged, bipedal, endothermic , egg-laying, vertebrate animals. Around 10,000 living species and 188 families makes them the most speciose class of tetrapod vertebrates. They inhabit ecosystems across the globe, from the Arctic to the Antarctic. Extant birds range in size from...
species
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
found in Central America
Central America
Central America is the central geographic region of the Americas. It is the southernmost, isthmian portion of the North American continent, which connects with South America on the southeast. When considered part of the unified continental model, it is considered a subcontinent...
and tropical 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...
. Cotingas are birds of forests or forest edges, which mostly eat fruit or insect
Insect
Insects are a class of living creatures within the arthropods that have a chitinous exoskeleton, a three-part body , three pairs of jointed legs, compound eyes, and two antennae...
s and fruit
Fruit
In broad terms, a fruit is a structure of a plant that contains its seeds.The term has different meanings dependent on context. In non-technical usage, such as food preparation, fruit normally means the fleshy seed-associated structures of certain plants that are sweet and edible in the raw state,...
. Comparatively little is known about this diverse group, although all have broad bills with hooked tips, rounded wings, and strong legs. They may be the most diverse passerine family in body size, ranging from the 8-cm Kinglet Calyptura
Kinglet Calyptura
The Kinglet Calyptura is a small passerine bird. It is the only member of the genus Calyptura. It has traditionally been considered a member of the family Cotingidae, but following the move of several species from this family to Tityridae - including the purpletufts which traditionally are...
to the 50-cm male Amazonian Umbrellabird
Amazonian Umbrellabird
The Amazonian Umbrellabird is a species of bird in the Cotingidae family. Much larger than the female, the male Amazonian Umbrellabird is likely the largest passerine in South America as well as the largest suboscine passerine in the world...
, although the smaller bird may not be a true cotinga.
The males of many species, such as the cock-of-the-rock
Cock-of-the-rock
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....
s, are brightly coloured, or decorated with plumes or wattles, like the umbrellabird
Umbrellabird
The Umbrellabirds are birds in the genus Cephalopterus found in rainforests of Central and South America. With a total length of 35–50 cm , they are among the largest members of the cotinga family, and the male Amazonian Umbrellabird is the largest passerine in South America.They are almost...
s, with their umbrella-like crest and long throat wattles. Some, like the bellbirds and the Screaming Piha
Screaming Piha
The Screaming Piha is a species of bird in the Cotingidae family. It is found in humid forests in the Amazon and tropical parts of the Mata Atlântica in South America...
, have distinctive and far-carrying calls. The females of most species are duller than the males.
Most species are polygynous
Polygyny
Polygyny is a form of marriage in which a man has two or more wives at the same time. In countries where the practice is illegal, the man is referred to as a bigamist or a polygamist...
, and only the females care for the eggs and young. Both brilliant male colors and loud vocalizations are the result of sexual selection
Sexual selection
Sexual selection, a concept introduced by Charles Darwin in his 1859 book On the Origin of Species, is a significant element of his theory of natural selection...
. Many have striking courtship displays, often grouped together in leks. In such canopy
Canopy (forest)
In biology, the canopy is the aboveground portion of a plant community or crop, formed by plant crowns.For forests, canopy also refers to the upper layer or habitat zone, formed by mature tree crowns and including other biological organisms .Sometimes the term canopy is used to refer to the extent...
-dwelling genera as Carpodectes
Carpodectes
Carpodectes is a genus of bird in the Cotingidae family.It contains the following species:* Black-tipped Cotinga, Carpodectes hopkei* Yellow-billed Cotinga, Carpodectes antoniae* Snowy Cotinga, Carpodectes nitidus...
, Cotinga
Cotinga (genus)
Cotinga is a genus of passerine birds belonging to the cotinga family, Cotingidae. It contains seven species. They are found in tropical rainforest in South and Central America from southern Mexico to south-east Brazil. They feed mainly on fruit and forage high in trees.They are 18-22 cm long....
, and Xipholena
Xipholena
Xipholena is a genus of bird in the Cotingidae family.It contains the following species:* Pompadour Cotinga * White-tailed Cotinga * White-winged Cotinga...
, males gather high in a single tree or in adjacent trees, but male cocks-of-the-rock, as befits their more terrestrial lives, give their elaborate displays in leks on the ground.
On the other hand, the Purple-throated Fruitcrow
Purple-throated Fruitcrow
The Purple-throated Fruitcrow is a species of bird in the Cotingidae family, the cotingas. It is the only species of the genus Querula....
lives in mixed-sex groups in which one female lays an egg and the others help provide insects to the chick.
Nests differ greatly. Many species lay a single egg in a nest so flimsy that the egg can be seen from underneath. This may make the nests hard for predators to find. Fruiteaters build more solid cup nests, and the cocks-of-the-rock attach their mud nests to cliffs.
Species
A number of species previously placed in this family have recently been placed in the family TityridaeTityridae
Tityridae is family of suboscine passerine birds found in forest and woodland in the Neotropics. The approximately 30 species in this family were formerly spread over the families Tyrannidae, Pipridae and Cotingidae . As yet, no widely accepted common name exists for the family, although Tityras...
(genera Laniisoma, Laniocera
Laniocera
Laniocera is a genus of bird in the Tityridae family. It has traditionally been placed in the cotinga family, but evidence strongly suggest it is better placed in Tityridae, where now placed by SACC...
and Iodopleura) or incertae sedis
Incertae sedis
, is a term used to define a taxonomic group where its broader relationships are unknown or undefined. Uncertainty at specific taxonomic levels is attributed by , , and similar terms.-Examples:*The fossil plant Paradinandra suecica could not be assigned to any...
(genera Oxyruncus, Phibalura and Calyptura).
FAMILY: COTINGIDAE
- Genus: Phytotoma - plantcutters (3 species)
- Genus: PhoenicircusPhoenicircusPhoenicircus is a genus of bird in the Cotingidae family.It contains the following species:* Guianan Red-cotinga * Black-necked Red-cotinga...
- red-cotingas (2 species) - Genus: TijucaTijuca (bird)Tijuca is a genus of passerine birds in the cotinga family Cotingidae. It contains two species: the Black-and-gold Cotinga and the Grey-winged Cotinga . They both have small ranges, occurring in montane forest in south-east Brazil. Their diet includes fruit.They are fairly large cotingas, 24-26.5...
(2 species) - Genus: Carpornis - berryeaters (2 species)
- Genus: AmpelionAmpelionAmpelion is a genus of bird in the Cotingidae family.It contains the following species:* Red-crested Cotinga * Chestnut-crested Cotinga...
(2 species) - Genus: DoliornisDoliornisDoliornis is a genus of bird in the Cotingidae family.It contains the following species:* Chestnut-bellied Cotinga * Bay-vented Cotinga...
(2 species) - Genus: Zaratornis
- White-cheeked CotingaWhite-cheeked CotingaThe White-cheeked Cotinga is a species of bird in the Cotingidae family. It is monotypic within the genus Zaratornis. It is endemic to the Andes in west-central Peru. It mainly occurs at altitudes 3,250-4,250 m.a.s.l. in woodlands dominated by Polylepis and Gynoxys. It primarily feeds on mistletoe...
, Zaratornis stresemanni
- White-cheeked Cotinga
- Genus: PipreolaPipreolaPipreola is a genus of bird in the Cotingidae family. Together with Ampelioides tschudii, they are collectively known as fruiteaters. All are restricted to humid montane or foothill forest in western or northern South America. They are thickset birds with predominantly greenish upperparts...
- fruiteaters (11 species) - Genus: Ampelioides - Scaled Fruiteater
- Genus: LipaugusLipaugusThe typical pihas, Lipaugus, are a genus of birds in the Cotingidae family.It contains the following species:* Dusky Piha, Lipaugus fuscocinereus* Scimitar-winged Piha, Lipaugus uropygialis* Screaming Piha, Lipaugus vociferans...
- typical pihas (7 species) - Genus: SnowornisSnowornisSnowornis is a genus of bird in the Cotingidae family. Formerly included in Lipaugus, it contains two species of somewhat aberrant pihas:* Olivaceous Piha * Grey-tailed Piha...
- atypical pihas (2 species) - Genus Porphyrolaema
- Purple-throated CotingaPurple-throated CotingaThe Purple-throated Cotinga is a species of bird in the Cotingidae family. It is monotypic within the genus Porphyrolaema.It is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru....
,
- Purple-throated Cotinga
Cotinga (genus)
Cotinga is a genus of passerine birds belonging to the cotinga family, Cotingidae. It contains seven species. They are found in tropical rainforest in South and Central America from southern Mexico to south-east Brazil. They feed mainly on fruit and forage high in trees.They are 18-22 cm long....
(7 species)
Xipholena
Xipholena is a genus of bird in the Cotingidae family.It contains the following species:* Pompadour Cotinga * White-tailed Cotinga * White-winged Cotinga...
(3 species)
Carpodectes
Carpodectes is a genus of bird in the Cotingidae family.It contains the following species:* Black-tipped Cotinga, Carpodectes hopkei* Yellow-billed Cotinga, Carpodectes antoniae* Snowy Cotinga, Carpodectes nitidus...
(3 species)
- Black-faced CotingaBlack-faced CotingaThe Black-faced Cotinga is a species of bird in the Cotingidae family. It is the only member of the genus Conioptilon.It is found in Bolivia, Brazil, and Peru....
,
- Bare-necked FruitcrowBare-necked FruitcrowThe Bare-necked Fruitcrow is a species of bird in the Cotingidae family. It is the only member of the genus Gymnoderus. It is found in the Amazon Rainforest, especially near rivers. It is relatively common, but generally rarer and more local north of the Amazon River...
, Gymnoderus foetidus
- Crimson FruitcrowCrimson FruitcrowThe Crimson Fruitcrow is a species of bird in the Cotingidae family. It is the only member of the genus Haematoderus.It is found in Brazil, French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname, and Venezuela....
, Haematoderus militaris
- Purple-throated FruitcrowPurple-throated FruitcrowThe Purple-throated Fruitcrow is a species of bird in the Cotingidae family, the cotingas. It is the only species of the genus Querula....
,
- Red-ruffed FruitcrowRed-ruffed FruitcrowThe Red-ruffed Fruitcrow is a species of bird in the Cotingidae family, in the monotypic genus Pyroderus. It is among the largest Passerines in South America, though it is surpassed by another cotinga, the Amazonian Umbrellabird...
, Pyroderus scutatus
Umbrellabird
The Umbrellabirds are birds in the genus Cephalopterus found in rainforests of Central and South America. With a total length of 35–50 cm , they are among the largest members of the cotinga family, and the male Amazonian Umbrellabird is the largest passerine in South America.They are almost...
- umbrellabirds (3 species)
- CapuchinbirdCapuchinbirdThe Capuchinbird or Calfbird is a species of bird in the Cotingidae family. It is monotypic within the genus Perissocephalus. It is found in humid forests in north-eastern South America, almost entirely north of the Amazon River and east of Rio Negro...
, Perissocephalus tricolor
Rupicola
Rupicola may mean:*Rupicola, the Latin name of the Cock-of-the-rocks*Rupicola , a genus of Ericaceae.*"rupicola", a Latin word meaning "living on/in rocks"...
- cock-of-the-rocks (2 species)
Further reading
- Snow, D.W. (1976). "The relationship between climate and annual cycles in the Cotingidae." Ibis 118(3):366-401
- Snow, D.W. (1982). The Cotingas: Bellbirds, Umbrella birds and their allies. British Museum Press. ISBN 0-19-858511-X
External links
- Cotinga videos on the Internet Bird Collection
- Cotinga sounds on xeno-canto.org