The rose-collared piha is a species of bird in the family Cotingidae, the cotingas. It is found in Brazil, Guyana, and Venezuela.
Region
Guiana Shield (Pantepui highlands of Venezuela, Guyana, and northern Brazil)
Typical Environment
Occurs on the slopes and summits of tepuis across southeastern Venezuela, western Guyana, and adjacent northern Brazil (e.g., Roraima). It favors humid evergreen montane and cloud forests, including mature forest edges and tall secondary growth. Most activity is in the canopy and subcanopy, where it seeks fruiting trees. It is uncommon to rare away from highland habitats and is seldom found in heavily disturbed lowlands.
Altitude Range
900–2000 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Males are notable for a vivid rose-pink collar that glows against otherwise dark, slaty plumage, especially when calling from high canopy perches. This species inhabits the tepui highlands of the Guiana Shield and is mostly quiet and unobtrusive away from display periods. It feeds largely on fruit and is an important seed disperser in montane forests. Like many cotingas, males may call from spaced perches in loose, exploded leks.
Temperament
shy and unobtrusive
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with brief, direct canopy flights
Social Behavior
Usually solitary or in pairs, occasionally joining mixed-species flocks at fruiting trees. Males call from high, exposed perches and may form loose, exploded leks during the breeding period. Nests are small, flimsy cups placed on horizontal branches, with a typical clutch of one to two eggs.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
The male gives clear, ringing whistles that carry through the canopy, often spaced at regular intervals. Calls are less explosive than the Screaming Piha but still penetrating and easily located by ear. Soft contact notes are used when foraging.
Plumage
Male is uniformly slaty-gray with a striking, narrow rose-pink collar on the lower throat; female is olive-green above with yellower olive underparts and lacks the collar. Both sexes have a short tail, large head, and smooth, even-toned plumage without heavy streaking.
Diet
Primarily frugivorous, taking a wide variety of soft fruits and berries, which it often swallows whole and later disperses as seeds. It forages methodically among fruiting trees in the canopy and subcanopy. Insects and other small arthropods are taken occasionally, gleaned or snatched during short sallies.
Preferred Environment
Feeds mostly in the upper forest strata of humid montane and cloud forests. Frequently visits fruiting trees along forest edges, gaps, and near tepui slopes. Less often descends to midstory.
