Carpornis melanocephala
The Black-headed Berryeater (*Carpornis melanocephala*) is a striking, medium-sized cotinga endemic to the humid Atlantic Forest of southeastern Brazil. Males exhibit a dramatic glossy black head, throat, and upper breast, contrasting sharply with a bright olive-green back, wings, and tail, and a vibrant yellow belly with olive flanks. Their bright red eyes add to their distinctive appearance. Females, while sharing the olive-green body, have a dusky olive-green head, making them duller but s...
This cotinga primarily inhabits the undisturbed, humid evergreen forests of the Atlantic Forest biome, ranging from sea level up to approximately 1600 meters in elevation. It prefers the mid-story and upper canopy layers of mature forests.
The Black-headed Berryeater's diet consists predominantly of small to medium-sized fruits and berries, which it plucks from branches while perched. It supplements this with a small number of invertebrates, particularly during the breeding season.
The Black-headed Berryeater is a diurnal species, often observed sitting quietly and unobtrusively in the forest canopy, making it challenging to spot despite its colorful plumage. Its foraging strategy is predominantly frugivorous, involving the careful plucking of fruits from branches while per...
The Black-headed Berryeater is endemic to the Atlantic Forest biome of southeastern Brazil. Its range extends from the state of Espírito Santo south through eastern Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Paraná, and Santa Catarina, reaching northeastern Rio Grande do Sul. This species is a year...
Least Concern
- The Black-headed Berryeater's incredibly loud, ringing song can carry for significant distances through the dense Atlantic Forest, often betraying its presence long before the bird itself is seen. - Despite its vibrant coloration, this cotinga is remarkably shy and often remains hidden in the f...