White bellbird

The white bellbird is a species of bird in the family Cotingidae, the cotingas. It is found in Brazil, French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname, Venezuela, and as a vagrant to Trinidad.

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Distribution

Region

Guiana Shield and northern Amazon basin

Typical Environment

Occurs in humid foothill and montane forests of northern Brazil, southern Venezuela (tepui region), Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana, with rare vagrants to Trinidad. Most often found in mature forest and along ridgelines, where males choose prominent canopy perches for calling. It also uses forest edges and gaps when fruiting trees are available. Local movements may follow fruit availability, but long-distance migration is not typical.

Altitude Range

200–1400 m

Climate Zone

Tropical

Characteristics

Size27–30 cm

Wing Span40–45 cm

Male Weight0.23 kg

Female Weight0.2 kg

Life Expectancy10 years

Ease of Keeping

Beginner friendly: 1/5

Useful to know

The white bellbird is famed for having the loudest recorded call of any bird, with males producing piercing, bell-like notes that can exceed 120 dB. Adult males are stark white and sport a long, black, fleshy wattle hanging from the base of the bill used in display. They are primarily fruit-eaters and play a role in seed dispersal in tropical forests. Females are greenish and streaked, offering excellent camouflage in the canopy.

Gallery

A taxidermied male, with the wattle incorrectly positioned as being raised rather than hanging down

A preserved specimen of a female white bellbird

Behaviour

Temperament

solitary and territorial

Flight Pattern

short rapid wingbeats between high canopy perches

Social Behavior

Males display from exposed canopy perches and form loose leks or spaced display sites, each defending a favored calling perch. Females visit males to mate and then depart to nest; the nest is built and tended by the female alone. Nesting is typically a small, flimsy cup placed on a horizontal branch well above the ground.

Migratory Pattern

Resident

Song Description

Male produces extremely loud, metallic, bell-like notes delivered in short, repeated phrases. Calls can be startling at close range and are often preceded by a posture where the male leans toward a nearby female before sounding the note.

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Identification

Comb Type

Plumage Description

Feather Color

Leg Color

Earlobe Color

Eye Color

Feeding Habits

Diet

Preferred Environment

Requires Supplement

Population

Conservation Status

Species Status

Wild Population

Total Known Population

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