THE ANDEAN COCK OF THE ROCK

The famous Cock of the Rock is one of the most iconic birds of the tropical Andes. This bird of a striking orange color is distributed throughout the cloud forest of the Andes. It is found between 500 to 2400 m (1600 – 7900 ft) altitude. Passing through Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia. 

If you want to know more about the amazing Cock-of-the-rock, continue reading this post and discover all the aspects that characterize it. 

THE FABULOUS COCK OF THE ROCK 

The cock-of-the-rock belongs to the family Cotingidae, exclusively from Central and South America. It has 60 species, attracting attention for their shapes and colors. But certainly something interesting is their ability to camouflage themselves, so finding and observing them is sometimes a challenge.

They are characterized for a marked sexual dimorphism in the color of its plumage, with the male having a large disc-shaped crest and bright scarlet or orange plumage. Its wings and tail are black with some pearl gray feathers. The eyes are characterized by an orange or bluish-yellow color.

On the other hand, the female doesn’t have such striking shades, it is dark brown, and a less prominent crest. And her eyes have reddish to brown irises. 

The males are polygamous, once they mate they don’t take care of the nest. The females are in charge of making the nests in rocky and dark places in the forest. Females incubate the eggs and remain with the young for 3 months.

CHARACTERISTICS 

Scientific Name: Rupicola peruvianus

Order: Passeriformes 

Family: Cotingidae

Genus:  Rupicola

Population: Unknown 

Habitat: Subtropical and cloud forests of the Andes Mountains from Venezuela to Bolivia. 

Length: 32 cm (13 in) 

Weight: 265 g (0,6 lb). 

COCK OF THE ROCK FAST FACTS 

• The Cock-of-the-Rock lives up to its name because of its tendency to prefer rocks and ledges for nesting. 
• Their main food is wild fruits, insects, amphibians, reptiles, frogs and smaller mice.
• Males and females also differ in the color of their beaks. The male has a yellow beak, while the female has a dark beak with a small yellow tip. 
• It is Peru ‘s national bird, known here by its Quechua name “tunki”. 
• This bird breeds at different times of the year. In Ecuador, the breeding season of the cock-of-the-rock usually runs from July to February each year.
• Incubation time is 28-30 days and the chicks remain with the female for 3 months.

WHERE TO SEE? 

The Cock of the Rock lives in several countries in the northern region of South America. Specifically in Venezuela, Colombia, Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador.

Being able to observe this bird is often a challenge, as it is very shy, likes to camouflage itself and remain hidden. In Ecuador, one of the best places to observe this singular bird is in the cloud forest of Mindo. In the company of a specialized guide you will be able to observe the Cock-of-the-Rock in the places where it usually roosts.

CONSERVATION 

The Cock-of-the-rock despite having widespread populations in South America, it remains vulnerable to habitat loss. In the red list of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the Cock-of-the-rock is in the category “Least Concern“.

The ABC Reserve Network preserves the habitat of the cock-of-the-rock in 10 reserves. These include the Cerulean Warbler Reserve in Colombia; the Tapichalaca and Narupa Reserves in Ecuador; and the Abra Patricia and Huembo Reserves in Peru.