Phoenicircus nigricollis
The Black-necked Red Cotinga (*Phoenicircus nigricollis*) is a resplendent jewel of the Amazonian rainforest, immediately recognizable by the male's dazzling scarlet plumage contrasted sharply with velvety black. Measuring around 21-23 cm (8-9 inches) in length, the male boasts a brilliant crimson body, tail, and flight feathers, dramatically offset by a glossy black head, neck, and inner wing feathers; some even show black flecking on the crown. Females, while still attractive, display a mor...
Found in the understory and midstory of humid, lowland primary rainforests, often favoring areas near water, swamps, or along forest edges, typically below 500 meters elevation.
Primarily frugivorous, consuming a variety of fruits and berries, especially from trees in the Melastomataceae and Moraceae families. They also supplement their diet with insects, which are typically caught by sallying flights from a perch.
Black-necked Red Cotingas are largely solitary or observed in pairs, spending much of their day perched silently for extended periods, making them challenging to spot despite their vivid coloration. They are active during daylight hours, foraging discreetly in the forest canopy and mid-story. Mal...
The Black-necked Red Cotinga is endemic to the western Amazon Basin, with a widespread distribution across several South American countries. Its breeding range extends from southeastern Colombia, southern Venezuela (extreme southwest), eastern Ecuador, and eastern Peru, south through western Braz...
Least Concern
- The male Black-necked Red Cotinga's plumage is so intensely red it almost appears to glow in the dim light of the rainforest understory, a phenomenon caused by structural coloration combined with pigments. - Unlike many colorful birds, their vocalizations are surprisingly quiet and inconspicuou...