The purple-throated fruitcrow is a species of bird in the family Cotingidae, the cotingas. It is found in Costa Rica, Panama, Nicaragua, and in every mainland South American country except Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay.
Region
Central America and northern South America (Neotropics)
Typical Environment
Occupies humid lowland and foothill forests, including mature evergreen forest, riverine forest, and tall secondary growth. Common along forest edges and around fruiting trees, but typically remains high in the canopy. Ranges from Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama through Colombia, Venezuela, the Guianas, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, and much of Brazil. Absent from the southern cone countries such as Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A striking cotinga, the purple-throated fruitcrow is the sole member of the genus Querula. Males display an inflatable, iridescent purple throat when calling from high canopy perches. Highly social, it often moves in noisy groups and is an important seed disperser in tropical forests. Its presence is a good indicator of healthy lowland evergreen forest.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with direct, strong flights between canopy trees
Social Behavior
Often travels in small to medium-sized groups that call and forage together in the canopy. Displays from prominent perches, with males inflating the purple throat and giving loud calls. Nesting is in trees; pairs may be accompanied by helpers in some areas, and both sexes tend the young.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are loud, coarse croaks, rattles, and grating notes that carry far through the forest. Display calls are emphatic and often delivered in bursts when several birds are perched together.
Plumage
Mostly glossy black with a satiny sheen; males show an inflated, iridescent purple throat patch during display. Feathers can appear slightly shaggy around the throat and breast. Robust, broad-based bill and overall crow-like silhouette.
Diet
Primarily eats a wide variety of soft fruits and berries, swallowing them whole and later dispersing seeds. Also takes large insects and other arthropods opportunistically, sometimes sallying from perches to catch prey. Will visit fruiting trees and follow seasonal fruit availability.
Preferred Environment
Feeds mostly in the upper canopy and along forest edges, especially at fruiting figs and other canopy fruit sources. Will descend to midstory when fruit is abundant but rarely forages on or near the ground.
