Red-crested Cotinga (Ampelion rubrocristatus)

Identification & Behavior: ~21.5 cm (8.4 in). The Red-crested Cotinga is all gray with a pale rump with black streaks. It has a narrow bright red crest, red iris, and silvery bill. The tail is gray with a white band. The juvenile is all yellowish with black streaks and dusky wings. It forages in the canopy of humid montane forest alone or in pairs. It is similar to the Bay-vented Continga but is distinguished by a mostly gray body, a silver bill, pale rump, and white band on the tail.

Status: The Red-crested Cotinga is uncommon in montane forests of the east and west (Piura to Ancash and local in Lima) slopes of the Andes at elevations ranging between 2400-3700 m. It also occurs in Co, Ec, and Bo.

Name in Spanish: Cotinga de Cresta Roja.

Sub-species: Red-crested Cotinga (Ampelion rubrocristatus), (d’Orbigny and Lafresnaye), 1837.

Meaning of Name: Ampelion: Gr.ampelion, ampelionos: unknown small bird, mentioned by Dionysius. L. ampelion, ampelionis= unknown bird, variously identified. rubrocristatus: L. ruber= red and cristatus, crista= , crest, crested, plume.

See more of the Family Cotingidae