Red-crested Cotinga
Ampelion rubrocristatus
The Red-crested Cotinga (Ampelion rubrocristatus) is a uncommon cotinga found in 5 countries, weighing about 66 g. The red-crested cotinga is a species of bird in the family Cotingidae.
About the Red-crested Cotinga
The red-crested cotinga is a species of bird in the family Cotingidae. It is found in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The red-crested cotinga is 20.5 to 22 cm (8.1 to 8.7 in) long and weighs 47 to 80 g (1.7 to 2.8 oz). The sexes have the same plumage. Adults have a dark gray head with a long chestnut-maroon crest which is usually held flat against the nape. Their body is gray and their wings and tail mostly a darker gray. Their upper- and undertail coverts, rump, and vent area have variable amounts of white streaking. The underside of their tail has a white band near the end. They have a deep red iris, a bill with an ivory-white or pale gray base and blackish gray tip, and black or dark gray legs and feet. Voice: The red-crested cotinga's song has been described as "a stuttered series of deep notes ending in a short croak: ke-ke-ke-kerrr" and as "a frog-like k-k-k-k-k-rrrréh". Its calls are "a deep chucking note and a deep, croaking, crek".
What the Red-crested Cotinga sounds like
Where it lives
When to see it
The Red-crested Cotinga can be seen all year round, with peak activity in October. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Red-crested Cotinga?
- The red-crested cotinga is 20.5 to 22 cm (8.1 to 8.7 in) long and weighs 47 to 80 g (1.7 to 2.8 oz). Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Red-crested Cotinga?
- The Red-crested Cotinga is a medium sized bird weighing about 66 g.
- Where can you see a Red-crested Cotinga?
- The Red-crested Cotinga occurs in 5 countries, including Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia and Venezuela.
- What does a Red-crested Cotinga sound like?
- You can listen to 2 field recordings of the Red-crested Cotinga on this page, contributed to xeno-canto under open licences.
- What birds look similar to a Red-crested Cotinga?
- The Red-crested Cotinga is most easily confused with the Chestnut-crested Cotinga.
- Is the Red-crested Cotinga endangered?
- The Red-crested Cotinga is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Red-crested Cotinga for real
BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.
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