Cotinga maculata
The Banded Cotinga, Cotinga maculata, is an extraordinarily rare and visually striking passerine endemic to the Atlantic Forest of southeastern Brazil. Males are among the most spectacular birds, adorned in brilliant iridescent cobalt-blue plumage contrasted sharply by two distinct black bands across the chest and belly, with a captivating purplish-crimson throat patch. Females, in stark contrast, exhibit cryptic brown and gray mottling, often with faint dusky barring, offering excellent camo...
Found exclusively in the humid, evergreen Atlantic Forest, primarily montane and submontane regions, ranging from near sea level up to 1,200 meters, though more frequently observed above 400 meters.
Primarily frugivorous, consuming a variety of fruits, particularly those from the Melastomataceae, Burseraceae, Myrtaceae, and Sapotaceae families. It also supplements its diet with a small number of insects, obtained by gleaning.
Typically a solitary and arboreal species, the Banded Cotinga spends most of its time high in the forest canopy, often perching motionless for extended periods, making it notoriously difficult to spot despite the male's vibrant plumage. Its foraging strategy primarily involves gleaning fruits dir...
The Banded Cotinga is strictly endemic to a severely fragmented and diminished range within the humid Atlantic Forest of southeastern Brazil. Its historical distribution, though never extensive, has contracted dramatically due to deforestation. Current confirmed populations are restricted to isol...
Critically Endangered
- The Banded Cotinga was once thought to be extinct, having vanished for over 50 years before its rediscovery in 1996, making it a 'Lazarus species' for ornithologists. - Its scientific name 'maculata' means 'spotted,' referring to the mottled, somewhat spotted appearance of the female and juveni...