The rufous piha is a species of bird in the family Cotingidae, the cotingas. It is found in Mexico, in every Central American country except El Salvador, and in Colombia and Ecuador.
Region
Mesoamerica and Chocó bioregion
Typical Environment
Occurs from southeastern Mexico through Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama, and south into the humid Chocó of western Colombia and northwestern Ecuador. It inhabits humid evergreen lowland and foothill forests, often along streams, ravines, and in well-shaded interior forest. The species uses midstory to subcanopy perches and may visit forest edges and tall secondary growth where fruiting trees are present. While it tolerates some disturbance, it is most abundant in mature forest.
Altitude Range
0–1500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A quiet, unobtrusive cotinga, the rufous piha often sits motionless in the dim midstory, making it surprisingly hard to spot despite its warm, uniform color. It is strongly frugivorous and frequently visits fruiting trees, occasionally sallying out to snatch insects. Its simple, mellow whistles carry through humid forests, especially at dawn. The species is sensitive to extensive deforestation but persists in some secondary growth and forest edges.
Illustration by Joseph Smit
Temperament
quiet and unobtrusive
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with brief level sallies
Social Behavior
Typically solitary or in pairs, perching quietly in the midstory. Joins mixed-species flocks at fruiting trees and may defend favored feeding perches. Nests are simple cups placed on horizontal branches or forks. Courtship is subtle, with vocal and perch-display elements rather than elaborate aerial displays.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Delivers soft, clear whistles and mellow phrases, often repeated from a concealed perch. Calls are simple, carrying well in dense forest without being loud, and include descending or slightly rising notes.
Plumage
Uniform rufous to cinnamon plumage with slightly paler underparts and subtly duskier wings and tail; feathers appear smooth and unpatterned.
Diet
Primarily consumes a wide variety of soft fruits and berries, swallowing them whole and dispersing seeds. Supplements diet with insects and other small arthropods, taken by brief sallies from a perch. Occasionally gleans from foliage and twigs. Frequently visits fruiting trees shared with tanagers, manakins, and other frugivores.
Preferred Environment
Feeds in the forest midstory to subcanopy, especially at fruiting trees within mature humid forest. Also forages along edges, light gaps, and near streams where fruit is abundant.
