Guianan Cock-Of-The-Rock

Rupicola rupicola

Least Concern

The species is abundant and widely distributed; it faces no significant short-term risk. See full glossary

The Guianan cock-of-the-rock is the northern relative of the Andean species, a uniform intense orange with a disc-shaped crest that covers its bill. It is endemic to the Guiana Shield, where it depends on granite outcrops: the female builds a mud nest attached to a rock face, often inside caves and crevices. The males gather at leks on the forest floor, where they compete with postures, leaps and bill-snapping.

Weight

190 g – 220 g

Size

28 cm – 32 cm

Lifespan

15 years

Diet

Herbivore

Feeds mainly on plants.

Activity

Diurnal

Active mainly during the day.

Sighting difficulty

Easy

RainforestMountainHerbivore Diurnal Bird Rainforest Mountain

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Fun facts

It depends literally on rock: the female sticks her mud nest to granite faces and boulders, and in stretches of forest without outcrops the species is simply absent, however good the woodland.
The males at the lek stay motionless and crouched on the ground while the female inspects them, and only start up again once she leaves: absolute stillness is part of the display.

Life cycle & biology

Skeleton type: Vertebrate - internal bony skeleton (bird)
Habitat & environment: Rainforest with granite outcrops and caves on the Guiana Shield
Sexual maturity: 2 years
Gestation / incubation: 28 days of incubation
Litter / clutch size: 2 eggs

Sources consulted: https://www.iucnredlist.org/ | https://animaldiversity.org/ | https://es.wikipedia.org/