The Guianan red cotinga is a species of bird in the family Cotingidae, the cotingas. It is found in Brazil, French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname, and Venezuela.
Region
Guianan Shield and northern Amazon Basin
Typical Environment
Occurs in lowland evergreen rainforest across Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, adjacent Venezuela, and northern Brazil. Favors the canopy and subcanopy of terra firme forests, but also visits forest edges, riverine gallery forest, and fruiting trees in natural gaps. Typically avoids heavily degraded habitats and open areas. Often localized but can be fairly common where fruiting trees are abundant.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 800 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A striking canopy bird, the male is an intense crimson-red with contrasting black wings and tail, making it one of the most vivid cotingas of the Guianan Shield. It is an important seed disperser, gulping small fruits whole and depositing seeds away from the parent tree. It can be confused with Black-necked Red Cotinga, but the Guianan species lacks a black neck. It is generally elusive and more often detected by its thin, high whistles than seen clearly.
Temperament
shy and canopy-dwelling
Flight Pattern
short, direct flights between canopy trees; rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually solitary or in pairs, gathering loosely at heavily fruiting trees. Likely uses display perches and simple courtship displays typical of cotingas, with the female responsible for most nesting duties. Nesting is a shallow cup placed well above ground in the mid to upper canopy. Breeding details are poorly known in much of its range.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are soft, high-pitched whistles and thin seee notes, often given from concealed canopy perches. Phrases may be spaced and unobtrusive, making the bird easier to hear than to see.
Plumage
Male with velvety crimson to scarlet body and head, contrasting blackish wings and tail; female dull olive-brown with fine pale scalloping and dusky wings and tail.
Diet
Primarily consumes small fruits and berries, swallowing them whole and later dispersing seeds. Frequently visits fruiting trees and lianas, sometimes returning repeatedly to favored trees. Will occasionally take small arthropods opportunistically, but fruit dominates the diet.
Preferred Environment
Feeds high in the canopy and subcanopy of intact rainforest, especially at fruiting fig trees and other seasonally productive species. Also forages along forest edges and natural gaps where fruiting plants are accessible.
