Region

Northern Andes

Typical Environment

Inhabits humid subtropical and tropical montane cloud forests on the Andean slopes of Colombia, Ecuador, and northern Peru. Favors mid-elevation foothills and lower montane zones with dense, mossy understory and abundant fruiting trees. Often found along forest edges, ravines, and mature secondary growth when fruit is available. Typically uses the midstory to subcanopy, moving quietly between shaded perches.

Altitude Range

600–2100 m

Climate Zone

Highland

Temperament

quiet, secretive, and unobtrusive

Flight Pattern

short, direct flights with rapid wingbeats

Social Behavior

Usually solitary or in pairs, concentrating around fruiting trees where multiple individuals may gather loosely. During breeding, pairs form and keep small territories. The nest is a simple cup placed on a horizontal branch; as in many cotingas, the female is thought to undertake most nesting duties.

Migratory Pattern

Resident

Song Description

Gives clear, mellow whistles that often descend slightly in pitch and carry through the forest. Also produces soft, nasal notes and short phrases repeated from a concealed perch.

Diet

Feeds mainly on small to medium-sized fruits and berries, swallowing them whole and later dispersing the seeds. Frequently visits fruiting melastomes, laurels, and other canopy and midstory trees. Will occasionally supplement its diet with insects, gleaned or snatched in short sallies from a perch.

Preferred Environment

Forages in the midstory and subcanopy of humid cloud forest, especially at forest edges and along ravines. Often remains in shaded interior perches and moves to exposed fruiting trees when resources peak.