Lipaugus ater
The Black-and-gold Cotinga (Lipaugus ater) is a striking passerine bird of the Cotinga family, Cotingidae, known for its remarkably loud vocalizations and sleek appearance. Males are entirely glossy black, often appearing with a slight bluish sheen, contrasting sharply with their bright, broad, golden-yellow bill and matching golden-yellow eyes, which are its most distinctive field marks. Females, though lacking the vibrant golden hues, are still attractive, exhibiting a duller brownish-gray ...
This species primarily inhabits humid lowland and montane evergreen forests, particularly within the Atlantic Forest biome, at elevations typically ranging from 400 to 1400 meters.
The diet of the Black-and-gold Cotinga consists predominantly of fruits, particularly those with a high fat content, supplemented by a variety of insects, which are typically snatched in flight or gleaned from foliage.
The Black-and-gold Cotinga is a largely arboreal and solitary bird, spending much of its day perched motionless within the forest canopy, often difficult to spot despite its size. Its foraging strategy involves sallying forth from a perch to snatch fruit or insects, then returning to the same or ...
The Black-and-gold Cotinga is endemic to the Atlantic Forest biome of southeastern Brazil, extending into adjacent areas of northeastern Argentina and eastern Paraguay. In Brazil, its distribution primarily spans from Espírito Santo and Minas Gerais south through Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Paraná...
Least Concern
- The Black-and-gold Cotinga is one of the loudest birds in the Americas, with calls capable of piercing through dense forest noise for long distances. - Its distinctive call has been described as resembling a blacksmith's hammer striking an anvil, a series of bell-like notes, or even a 'screamin...