Animalia Life

Cotinga cotinga
TAXONOMY
Cotinga cotinga Linnaeus, 1766.
OTHER COMMON NAMES
French: Cotinga de Daubenton; German: Purpurbrust Kotinga; Spanish: Continga de Pecho Morado.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Average weight is 2.5 oz (70 g). Males are predominantly navy blue in color, with black wings and tail, and violet on the throat and breast. Their subcutaneous and perivisceral fat often takes on the blue color of the berries they prefer.
DISTRIBUTION
This species is found in northern Amazonia, in eastern Colombia, the Guinan Shield, and northern Brazil. The only species within the genus that overlaps its geographic
DISTRIBUTION
is the spangled cotinga (Cotinga cayana).
HABITAT
This species is a canopy specialist in lowland tropical evergreen forest. While principally a lowland species, it may range up to 0.5 mi (800 m).
BEHAVIOR
The quiet
BEHAVIOR
of the members of this genus is in contrast with their vivid colors. However, the male emits a sharp, loud “whirr” with his wings when in flight.
FEEDING ECOLOGY AND DIET
Fruit and berries are consumed, often “gorging” at a masting tree or bush such as mistletoe. The fruits are often plucked on the wing. Although the seeds of larger species (e.g., mistletoe) might be regurgitated, smaller seeds are often swallowed. Insects are also taken.
REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY
The mating system is not completely known within this group, although for the most part it appears that males display solitarily. The nest is platform type, often high in a tree fork, or next to an epiphyte. The female incubates and cares for the young alone.
CONSERVATION STATUS
Not threatened.
SIGNIFICANCE TO HUMANS
Several indigenous tribes use cotinga feathers in their ornamentation.

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