Cotinga maynana
The Plum-throated Cotinga (*Cotinga maynana*) is a stunning neotropical bird, renowned for the male's vibrant plumage, a hallmark of the Cotingidae family. Males measure approximately 19 cm (7.5 in) and are almost entirely brilliant cerulean blue, with a striking, contrasting deep plum-purple throat patch that extends onto the upper breast. Their flight feathers and tail are black, often edged with blue, and they possess a bright yellow eye. Females, in stark contrast, are cryptically colored...
Primarily inhabits primary terra firme (unflooded) lowland rainforests, often found at forest edges, clearings, and tall secondary growth. Typically occurs at elevations ranging from 200 to 1000 meters above sea level.
Feeds predominantly on fruits, particularly berries from the Melastomataceae and Loranthaceae families, which it plucks directly from plants. Occasionally supplements its diet with small insects (arthropods).
Plum-throated Cotingas are largely diurnal, spending much of their time perched high in the canopy, often solitary or in small, loose groups, especially at traditional lek sites. Males engage in elaborate courtship displays at these leks, where they perform aerial sallies, rapid wing beats, and d...
The Plum-throated Cotinga is a resident species found throughout the upper Amazon basin in South America. Its distribution spans eastern Colombia, eastern Ecuador, eastern Peru, northern Bolivia, and the western reaches of Brazil. In Brazil, it is primarily found in the states of Acre, Amazonas, ...
Least Concern
- The male Plum-throated Cotinga's brilliant blue color is not from pigments but from structural coloration, meaning it's created by the microscopic structure of their feathers reflecting specific wavelengths of light. - Despite their dazzling appearance, cotingas are often remarkably quiet birds...