cockoftherocks

Cock-of-the-rock is a common name for several tropical passerine birds in the family Cotingidae, most famously the Andean cock-of-the-rock (Rupicola rupicola). Males of this species are noted for their vivid orange-red plumage, black wings, and a distinctive facial patch, while females are brownish and more camouflaged. The name can also refer to related lekking cotingas within the same group, though Rupicola rupicola is the species most often associated with the term.

Taxonomy and range: Rupicola is a genus within Cotingidae, and Rupicola rupicola is the best-known representative. These birds are native to humid montane forests and cloud forests of the northern and central Andes, with a range that includes parts of Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, and adjacent areas. The term cock-of-the-rock may be used in a broader sense to describe other lekking cotingas in nearby habitats, but Rupicola rupicola remains the primary example.

Appearance and ecology: Males possess striking orange-red plumage and often display a distinctive crest or plume. Females are duller in coloration, providing camouflage during nesting. They inhabit dense forest environments where fruit is a major food source, supplemented by insects. They are known for lekking behavior, where males gather to perform displays and compete for female attention; females visit the leks to select a mate.

Breeding and nesting: After mating, the female typically builds a cup-shaped nest in a tree, often suspended from a fork in the branches. She incubates the eggs and cares for the chicks, with male involvement limited or absent in parental care.

Conservation: The Andean cock-of-the-rock is listed as of least concern by the IUCN, but habitat loss and forest fragmentation can impact local populations. The birds are a focus for birdwatchers and researchers studying lek mating systems.