Umbrellabird
Encyclopedia
The Umbrellabirds are birds in the genus
Cephalopterus found in rainforest
s of Central
and South America
. With a total length of 35–50 cm (14–20 in), they are among the largest members of the cotinga
family, and the male Amazonian Umbrellabird is the largest passerine
in South America.
They are almost entirely black, and have a conspicuous crest on the top of their head, vaguely resembling an umbrella (hence their common name
). All have an inflatable wattle
on the neck, which serves to amplify their loud, booming calls. This wattle may reach a length of 35 cm (14 in) in the Long-wattled Umbrellabird, but it is smaller in the two remaining species, and covered in bare, bright red skin in the Bare-necked Umbrellabird. Females resemble males, but are noticeably smaller and have a reduced crest and wattle.
They feed on fruits, large insects and occasionally small vertebrates (e.g. lizards). The males gather in loose leks, where they call and extend their wattle to attract females. The flimsy nest is built entirely by the female, which also incubate
and raise the chicks without help from the male.
Of the three species, two, the Long-wattled and Bare-necked Umbrellabird, are threatened by habitat loss and to a lesser extent hunting.
One species lives in the Amazon Rainforest
, one in the El Chocó and one in the forest of Central America
.
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
Cephalopterus found in rainforest
Rainforest
Rainforests are forests characterized by high rainfall, with definitions based on a minimum normal annual rainfall of 1750-2000 mm...
s of Central
Central America
Central America is the central geographic region of the Americas. It is the southernmost, isthmian portion of the North American continent, which connects with South America on the southeast. When considered part of the unified continental model, it is considered a subcontinent...
and South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
. With a total length of 35–50 cm (14–20 in), they are among the largest members of the cotinga
Cotinga
The cotingas are a large family of passerine bird species found in Central America and tropical South America. Cotingas are birds of forests or forest edges, which mostly eat fruit or insects and fruit. Comparatively little is known about this diverse group, although all have broad bills with...
family, and the male Amazonian Umbrellabird is the largest passerine
Passerine
A passerine is a bird of the order Passeriformes, which includes more than half of all bird species. Sometimes known as perching birds or, less accurately, as songbirds, the passerines form one of the most diverse terrestrial vertebrate orders: with over 5,000 identified species, it has roughly...
in South America.
They are almost entirely black, and have a conspicuous crest on the top of their head, vaguely resembling an umbrella (hence their common name
Common name
A common name of a taxon or organism is a name in general use within a community; it is often contrasted with the scientific name for the same organism...
). All have an inflatable wattle
Wattle (anatomy)
A wattle is a fleshy dewlap or caruncle hanging from various parts of the head or neck in several groups of birds, goats and other animals. In some birds the caruncle is erectile tissue.The wattle is frequently an organ of sexual dimorphism...
on the neck, which serves to amplify their loud, booming calls. This wattle may reach a length of 35 cm (14 in) in the Long-wattled Umbrellabird, but it is smaller in the two remaining species, and covered in bare, bright red skin in the Bare-necked Umbrellabird. Females resemble males, but are noticeably smaller and have a reduced crest and wattle.
They feed on fruits, large insects and occasionally small vertebrates (e.g. lizards). The males gather in loose leks, where they call and extend their wattle to attract females. The flimsy nest is built entirely by the female, which also incubate
Avian incubation
Incubation refers to the process by which certain oviparous animals hatch their eggs, and to the development of the embryo within the egg. The most vital factor of incubation is the constant temperature required for its development over a specific period. Especially in domestic fowl, the act of...
and raise the chicks without help from the male.
Of the three species, two, the Long-wattled and Bare-necked Umbrellabird, are threatened by habitat loss and to a lesser extent hunting.
Species
- Long-wattled UmbrellabirdLong-wattled UmbrellabirdThe Long-wattled Umbrellabird, Cephalopterus penduliger, is a bird found in the humid forests of the Chocó of western Colombia and Ecuador. It is sensitive to habitat destruction, and its large size make it easy to hunt...
, Cephalopterus penduliger - Amazonian UmbrellabirdAmazonian UmbrellabirdThe Amazonian Umbrellabird is a species of bird in the Cotingidae family. Much larger than the female, the male Amazonian Umbrellabird is likely the largest passerine in South America as well as the largest suboscine passerine in the world...
, Cephalopterus ornatus - Bare-necked UmbrellabirdBare-necked UmbrellabirdThe Bare-necked Umbrellabird is a species of bird in the Cotingidae family.It is found in Costa Rica and Panama....
, Cephalopterus glabricollis
One species lives in the Amazon Rainforest
Amazon Rainforest
The Amazon Rainforest , also known in English as Amazonia or the Amazon Jungle, is a moist broadleaf forest that covers most of the Amazon Basin of South America...
, one in the El Chocó and one in the forest of Central America
Central America
Central America is the central geographic region of the Americas. It is the southernmost, isthmian portion of the North American continent, which connects with South America on the southeast. When considered part of the unified continental model, it is considered a subcontinent...
.
Further reading
- Snow, D.W. (1982). The Cotingas: Bellbirds, Umbrella birds and their allies. British Museum Press. ISBN 0-19-858511-X