The black-and-gold cotinga is a species of bird in the family Cotingidae. It is endemic to Brazil.
Region
Atlantic Forest, southeastern Brazil
Typical Environment
Occurs in humid montane and cloud forests along the Serra do Mar and adjacent ranges. Prefers mature, mossy forest with abundant epiphytes and fruiting trees, but may use adjacent secondary growth and forest edges when fruit is available. Typically keeps to the mid-story and canopy, perching quietly between foraging bouts. Sensitive to forest fragmentation and tends to be scarce in heavily disturbed tracts.
Altitude Range
800–2000 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This cotinga is restricted to the montane Atlantic Forest of southeastern Brazil, where it favors cool, misty ridges and cloud forest. Males are strikingly black with a bright golden wing panel, while females are olive and much more cryptic. It often sings from high perches, its thin, fluty whistles carrying over the forest. Habitat loss and fragmentation in the Atlantic Forest are the main threats.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats between perches
Social Behavior
Usually encountered singly or in pairs, spending long periods perched quietly in the mid- to upper canopy. Males sing from prominent canopy perches during the breeding season. Nesting is likely a small open cup placed on a horizontal branch, with most parental duties undertaken by the female as in many cotingas.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Song is a series of thin, fluty whistles, often descending and spaced out, carrying well through the forest. Calls include sharp tseet notes and soft contact whistles when moving between perches.
Plumage
Male is glossy black with a conspicuous golden patch across the wing coverts; female is olive to olive-brown with paler, faintly streaked underparts and subtle yellowish wing edges. Both sexes have a smooth, sleek plumage suited to canopy life.
Diet
Primarily consumes small fruits and berries, including those of laurel and myrtle families. Forages by gleaning and sallying to pluck fruit from the canopy and subcanopy. Occasionally takes insects or other small arthropods, especially when fruit is scarce.
Preferred Environment
Feeds at fruiting trees along ridgelines, forest interiors, and edges. Often selects canopy-level resources but may descend to mid-story when specific trees are in season.
