The scaled fruiteater is a species of bird in the family Cotingidae. It is the only member of the genus Ampelioides. This bird is found in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela, where its natural habitat is the high elevation tropical forests of the Andes mountains. The Scaled Fruiteater is a chunky, short-tailed, flat-headed bird measuring 19–20 cm in length. It uses its green scaled feather pattern to blend in with the dense vegetation of the South American rainforest.
Region
Andes Mountains
Typical Environment
Occurs along the eastern Andean slopes in Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and northern Bolivia. It inhabits humid to wet montane cloud forests, elfin forests, and forest edges with abundant fruiting trees. The species typically forages in the midstory to canopy, favoring dense, mossy vegetation. It adapts to secondary growth and forest borders when fruit is plentiful, but remains most common in mature cloud forest.
Altitude Range
1200–2800 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This is the sole member of the genus Ampelioides, a distinctive fruiteater of Andean cloud forests. Its scalloped, scale-like feather pattern provides superb camouflage among mossy, fruit-laden branches. It is a quiet, elusive bird that is often detected by soft calls or by watching fruiting trees. As a dedicated frugivore, it plays an important role in seed dispersal.
Temperament
shy and inconspicuous
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly, in pairs, or small family groups, often keeping to dense midstory foliage. It may join mixed-species flocks moving through fruiting trees. Nesting is presumed to be in well-concealed sites within dense vegetation, with both sexes likely involved in parental care. Courtship is discreet, relying more on soft vocalizations than showy displays.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are soft, thin whistles and subdued notes, often given from inside foliage. The song can be a brief series of high, sibilant phrases with occasional pauses. Calls may include gentle tchit or seep notes that are easy to miss in windy cloud-forest conditions.
Plumage
Chunky, short-tailed bird with mossy-green upperparts and distinct scalloped or scaled patterning across the underparts. Feathers have pale edging that creates a scale-like appearance on the breast and belly. Texture appears plush and dense, aiding camouflage in humid, moss-covered branches.
Diet
Primarily consumes small fruits and berries, which it often swallows whole. It selects ripe, soft fruits from a variety of native trees and shrubs in the Andean cloud forest. Seeds are dispersed via regurgitation or defecation, contributing to forest regeneration. It may occasionally supplement its diet with small arthropods, especially when feeding young.
Preferred Environment
Feeds in the midstory to canopy of humid montane forests, especially at fruiting trees along ridges and ravines. Also forages at forest edges and in secondary growth when fruit availability is high.
