Scimitar-winged Piha (Lipaugus uropygialis)

Identification & Behavior: ~30 cm (11.8 in). The Scimitar-winged Piha is all gray with chestnut rump, vent, and undertail coverts. It forages in the midstory and canopy of humid montane forests in a similar fashion as other pihas or trogons; staying motionless for long periods of time before launching on insects or hanging fruit. It is similar to the Screaming Piha but their ranges do not overlap.

Status: The Scimitar-winged Piha is rare and very local known to occur in the montane forests of the east slope of the Andes of Cuzco and Puno at elevations ranging between 2100-2400 m. It also occurs in Bo.

Name in Spanish: Piha Ala-de-Cimatarra.

Sub-species: Scimitar-winged Piha (Lipaugus uropygialis), (P. L. Sclater and Salvin), 1876.

Meaning of Name: Lipaugus: Gr. leipo= to abandon and auge, auges= brilliance; lipauges= dark, deserted by light. uropygialis: L. uropygium= rump. In reference to a bird’s rump.

See more of the Family Cotingidae