Ampelion rubrocristatus
The Red-crested Cotinga (*Ampelion rubrocristatus*) is a striking yet often subtly observed member of the Cotingidae family, renowned for its hidden splash of color amidst an otherwise somber plumage. Measuring approximately 20-22 cm (8-8.5 inches) in length and weighing 50-60 grams, this robust cotinga is predominantly a sooty-gray with a darker, almost black head and wings. Its most distinctive field mark, and the source of its name, is a brilliant reddish-orange crest that typically lies f...
This species primarily inhabits high-altitude humid montane cloud forests, forest edges, and secondary growth in the Andes, typically at elevations between 2,000 to 3,500 meters.
Primarily frugivorous, its diet consists mainly of small berries and drupes; it supplements this with a significant intake of large insects caught in flight.
Red-crested Cotingas are diurnal, often observed perching conspicuously at forest edges or in the open canopy, sometimes solitary, in pairs, or small family groups. They employ a 'sally-glean' foraging strategy, sitting patiently before launching short, agile flights to pluck fruits from branches...
The Red-crested Cotinga has a wide, though fragmented, distribution across the Andes Mountains of South America, primarily as a resident species. Its breeding range extends from extreme western Venezuela (specifically the states of Táchira, Mérida, Trujillo, Lara, and Falcón) south through the We...
Least Concern
- The Red-crested Cotinga's brilliant reddish-orange crest is usually flattened and hidden, making it a surprising flash of color only seen when the bird is excited or displaying. - Unlike many more flamboyantly colored cotingas, this species sports a relatively subdued, sooty-gray plumage, makin...