The handsome fruiteater is a species of bird in the family Cotingidae, the cotingas. It is endemic to Venezuela.
Region
Venezuelan Coastal Range and adjacent montane forests
Typical Environment
Inhabits humid montane and cloud forests, favoring mature forest interiors as well as edges and secondary growth with abundant fruiting trees. Most activity occurs in the mid-story to canopy, where it moves deliberately between fruiting branches. It occasionally descends to lower strata along forested ravines and clearings. The species can persist in lightly disturbed habitats if fruit resources remain available.
Altitude Range
800–2200 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A quiet, canopy-dwelling cotinga, the handsome fruiteater is endemic to Venezuela’s humid montane forests. It feeds mainly on small fruits and is an important seed disperser for cloud-forest trees and shrubs. Males are striking compared to the more camouflaged females, and the species is often detected by its soft, thin calls around fruiting trees.
Temperament
quiet and unobtrusive
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats between perches
Social Behavior
Typically seen singly or in pairs, sometimes joining mixed-species flocks at fruiting trees. Breeding pairs keep to dense mid-story cover; the small cup nest is placed on horizontal branches. Like many cotingas, it is relatively secretive during nesting.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are soft, thin whistles and high, sibilant notes delivered from concealed perches. Songs are modest and easily overlooked amid insect noise of cloud forests.
Plumage
Compact, green-bodied fruiteater with short tail and dense, neat plumage; males show strong contrasting head-and-breast colors while females are more mottled and camouflaged.
Diet
Primarily consumes small berries and drupes, especially from Melastomataceae and Lauraceae. Fruits are often swallowed whole and seeds later regurgitated, aiding forest regeneration. It occasionally supplements its diet with small arthropods, especially during breeding.
Preferred Environment
Feeds at fruiting trees in the mid-story and canopy, along forest edges, gaps, and ridgelines. It may follow fruiting events and linger where resources are concentrated.
