Cock-of-the-rock

Cock-of-the-rock
Male Andean cock-of-the-rock
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Passeriformes
Family:	Cotingidae
Genus:	Rupicola Brisson, 1760
Species
Rupicola rupicola Rupicola peruvianus

The cock-of-the-rock, which compose the genus Rupicola, are South American cotingid birds. The Andean cock-of-the-rock is the national bird of Peru. They are found in both lowland and highland tropical rainforests close to rocky areas, where they build their nests.

Both known species exhibit sexual dimorphism: the males are magnificent birds, not only because of their bright orange or red colours, but also because of their very prominent fan-shaped crests. Like some other cotingids, they have a complex courtship behaviour, performing impressive lek displays. The females are overall brownish with hints of the brilliant colours of the males. Females build nests on rocky cliffs or large boulders, and raise the young on their own. They usually lay two or three eggs.

Except during the mating season, these birds are shy and wary of predators so they are difficult to see in the rainforest canopy. They primarily feed on fruits and berries and may be important dispersal agents for rainforest seeds. Studies and observations have shown that male cocks-of-the-rock are very territorial. While the females are taking care of their eggs and babies, the male birds are in clans together, living near and monitoring the designated local arena where females gather to observe the courtship displays of the males.