Swallow-tailed Cotinga
Phibalura flavirostris
The Swallow-tailed Cotinga (Phibalura flavirostris) is a rare cotinga found in 3 countries, weighing about 47 g. The swallow-tailed cotinga is a species of passerine bird in the family Cotingidae.
About the Swallow-tailed Cotinga
The swallow-tailed cotinga is a species of passerine bird in the family Cotingidae. It is found in Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The swallow-tailed cotinga is about 18 to 20 cm (7.1 to 7.9 in) long and weighs about 43 to 60 g (1.5 to 2.1 oz). The sexes have different plumage though both have the eponymous long divided tail. Adult females have a mottled black and gray forehead, a pale gray to grayish brown crown with a usually concealed dull red streak in the middle. Their nape is blackish with broken white bars. Their upperparts are mostly dull olive with bright yellow forming a scaly appearance; their uppertail coverts are mostly olive-yellow with dark streaks. Voice: The swallow-tailed cotinga is mostly silent. Two known calls are "a high guttural whistle, rendered gut, gut or similar a tremolo". It also makes "a very low, slightly metallic pik note" while foraging.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Argentina.
When to see it
Best months: January, February, August, September, October, November, December, with peak activity in October. It is a variable species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Swallow-tailed Cotinga?
- The swallow-tailed cotinga is about 18 to 20 cm (7.1 to 7.9 in) long and weighs about 43 to 60 g (1.5 to 2.1 oz). Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Swallow-tailed Cotinga?
- The Swallow-tailed Cotinga is a small sized bird weighing about 47 g.
- Where can you see a Swallow-tailed Cotinga?
- The Swallow-tailed Cotinga occurs in 3 countries, including Brazil and Bolivia.
- What birds look similar to a Swallow-tailed Cotinga?
- The Swallow-tailed Cotinga is most easily confused with the Yellow-billed Cotinga, the Grey-tailed Piha and the Black-tipped Cotinga.
Learn the Swallow-tailed 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.
Play BeakBrainEvery photo and recording on this page is credited to its author under the licence shown. Spotted a problem with this page, or have a better photo? Contribute.