Cotingas | Cotingidae

Cotinga's | Cotingas

In Mexico and Central America the family numbers ten species in six genera, and few families show such a range of forms: the turquoise and purplish-blue cotingas and the pure white Snowy Cotinga in the crowns of lowland forest, the Three-wattled Bellbird and Bare-necked Umbrellabird of the montane forests of Costa Rica and Panama, the Purple-throated Fruitcrow and the plain rufous piha. Nearly all are fruit-eaters with a short, broad bill and a wide gape, swallowing fruit whole and so carrying the seeds of laurels and other trees over long distances. Many species move seasonally between mountains and lowlands in search of ripe fruit. In most species the sexes differ strongly: the male is colourful or carries wattles, a throat sac or a crest and attracts females with a striking call or display, while the female alone builds the nest and raises the young. The bellbird gives a metallic call audible for kilometres and the piha a loud whistle. The nest is usually a small, flimsy cup high in a tree, holding a single egg.