Amazonian Umbrellabird (Cephalopterus ornatus)

Identification & Behavior: ~46 cm (18.1 in). The Amazonian Umbrellabird is all black. The male has ornate feathers on top of the head that are erected to shape like an umbrella. It also has a wattle that can be dropped longer during courtship display. The female has a reduced crest, which is often flat. Both sexes have a white iris. It forages in the canopy of montane forest and along river edges and river islands in Amazonia. The female is similar to a female Bare-necked Fruitcrow but is distinguished by a feathered neck, white iris, and a larger size.

Status: The Amazonian Umbrellabird is uncommon to rare in montane forests of the east slope of the Andes at elevations ranging between 600-1650 m. It also occurs locally in Amazonia along large river edges and river islands. The Amazonian Umbrellabird also occurs in Co, Ec, Br, and Bo.

Name in Spanish: Pájaro-Paraguas Amazónico.

Sub-species: Amazonian Umbrellabird (Cephalopterus ornatus), E. Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1809.

Meaning of Name: Cotinga: Tupí name Catingá= bright forest (bird), for the colourful cotingas.
cayana: In reference to Cayenne or French Guiana. In early ornithology “Cayenne” was often used of species of uncertain provenance presumed to be from Amazonia.

See more of the Family Cotingidae