The grey-tailed piha is a species of bird in the family Cotingidae, the cotingas. It is found in Colombia, Ecuador and Peru.
Region
Northern Andes (eastern slopes of Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru)
Typical Environment
Inhabits humid foothill and lower montane evergreen forests, most often in mature or well-regenerated forest. It frequents the midstory to canopy, occasionally venturing to edges and along ridges or steep slopes. The species is patchy but can be locally fairly common where suitable forest persists. It avoids open country and heavily degraded habitats, relying on continuous tree cover.
Altitude Range
600–1700 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The grey-tailed piha is a quiet, canopy-dwelling cotinga of the eastern Andean foothills. It is typically unobtrusive, perching motionless for long periods between short sallies. Its common name refers to the characteristically paler gray tail that contrasts with the darker body. Like many cotingas, it relies heavily on fruit and plays a role in seed dispersal.
Temperament
quiet and unobtrusive
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with brief sallies between perches
Social Behavior
Usually solitary or in pairs, perching quietly in the midstory or canopy. Breeding behavior is poorly documented; like other cotingas, males may perform simple perch-based displays. Nests are presumed to be small and placed on horizontal branches, but confirmed nest descriptions are scarce.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are soft, simple whistles and piping notes, often delivered from a concealed perch. Calls are sporadic and can be easily overlooked amid forest sounds.
Plumage
Plain, smooth plumage with darker olive-brown upperparts and duller gray-tinged underparts; tail notably paler gray than the back.
Diet
Primarily consumes small to medium-sized fruits and berries, swallowing them whole and later dispersing seeds. It occasionally supplements its diet with insects gleaned from foliage or caught during short aerial sallies. Foraging is typically patient and deliberate, with long pauses between feeding bouts.
Preferred Environment
Feeds in the midstory and canopy of humid foothill and lower montane forests, especially along fruiting trees. It may visit forest edges and gaps when fruiting resources are concentrated.
