Cock-of-the-rock | ||||||||||||
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Scientific classification | ||||||||||||
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Rupicola rupicola Rupicola peruviana |
The Cock-of-the-rock, genus Rupicola, is a South American cotingid bird.
They are found in Tropical Rain Forests close to rocky areas, where they build their nests. Just like other cotingids they have a complex court behaviour, performing impressive lek displays.
The males are magnificent birds, not only because of their strong bright-orange or reddish colors, but also because of the very prominent fan shaped crests they have. They are wary animals and feed, basically, on fruits.
There are two different species of Cock-of-the-rocks, the Andean Cock-of-the-rock (Rupicola peruviana) and the Guianan Cock-of-the-rock (Rupicola rupicola), both species found only in the northern part of South America.