The Apolo cotinga or palkachupa cotinga is a passerine bird in the family Cotingidae. It is endemic to Bolivia.
Region
Andes Mountains
Typical Environment
Occurs in a very restricted area of the Andean foothills around Apolo in northwestern Bolivia. It favors subtropical montane and foothill forests, especially edges, gallery forests along rivers, and semi-open woodland with tall fruiting trees. The species also uses secondary growth and agroforestry mosaics when large native trees remain. It typically forages in the mid to upper canopy and nests in tall trees within relatively intact forest patches.
Altitude Range
1100–2000 m
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Also called the Palkachupa Cotinga, it is confined to the Apolo region of Bolivia and was long debated as a subspecies of the Swallow-tailed Cotinga. Males show a strikingly long, deeply forked tail used in display flights. It relies heavily on native fruiting trees and is an important seed disperser. Habitat loss from agriculture and logging has driven significant declines, prompting local conservation initiatives and nest protection programs.
Temperament
wary and canopy-dwelling
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with brief glides
Social Behavior
Usually found singly or in pairs, occasionally in small loose groups at fruiting trees. Likely monogamous, nesting as an open cup placed high in tall trees at forest edge or along streams. Displays include tail-fanning and aerial chases by the male around favored perches.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are soft, clear whistles and brief, buzzy notes given from the canopy. Males deliver simple phrases during display, interspersed with quiet contact calls at fruiting trees.
Plumage
Male with bright yellow underparts, olive upperparts, and a grayish head; female duller olive-brown with faint streaking below. Both sexes show a very long, deeply forked tail and a short, broad bill. Plumage is clean and sleek with moderate gloss on upperparts.
Diet
Primarily consumes small to medium-sized fruits and berries from native trees and vines, swallowing them whole and dispersing seeds. Will occasionally supplement with insects gleaned from foliage or caught on short sallies, especially during breeding. It frequents seasonal fruiting hotspots and may follow ripening phenology across a small local area.
Preferred Environment
Feeds in the mid to upper canopy of mature or semi-mature forest, particularly along edges and riparian corridors. Also uses isolated fruiting trees in pastures or chacos when nearby forest patches persist.
