The dusky piha is a species of bird in the family Cotingidae, the cotingas. It is found in Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.
Region
Andes Mountains
Typical Environment
Found on the slopes of the northern Andes in Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, primarily in humid montane and cloud forests. It favors mature forest and well-forested edges with abundant fruiting trees. Birds keep to the mid to upper canopy and frequents ravines and ridgelines with dense epiphytes. It tolerates some secondary growth where fruit resources remain, but is less common in heavily degraded habitats.
Altitude Range
900–2400 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The dusky piha is a quiet, canopy-dwelling cotinga of Andean cloud forests, often detected by its mellow, whistled calls rather than by sight. It spends long periods perched motionless between brief sallies for fruit. Despite its plain plumage, its voice carries far through misty montane forests. The name “piha” refers to the vocalizations typical of several species in this group.
Temperament
solitary and quiet
Flight Pattern
short direct flights with brief, shallow wingbeats between perches
Social Behavior
Usually solitary or in pairs, perching quietly in the mid to upper canopy. Breeding behavior is poorly known, but like many cotingas, display and nesting are subdued and inconspicuous. A shallow cup nest on a horizontal branch is likely, with the female taking the lead in care.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Delivers mellow, whistled notes and soft, piping phrases from exposed canopy perches. Phrases are spaced by long pauses, carrying well through cloud forest. Calls are simple and unobtrusive compared to the piercing screams of some relatives.
Plumage
Plain, dusky gray-brown overall with a slightly paler throat and breast; wings and tail subtly darker. Feathers have a soft, uniform appearance without strong streaking or barring.
Diet
Primarily frugivorous, taking small to medium-sized fruits from laurels, melastomes, and other canopy trees. It often plucks fruit while perched and swallows it whole, later regurgitating seeds. Occasionally supplements its diet with flying or gleaned insects, especially when fruit is scarce.
Preferred Environment
Feeds in the mid to upper canopy of humid montane and cloud forests, including along forest edges and gaps where fruiting trees are accessible. Will visit fruiting trees repeatedly and may follow localized fruiting events.
