<trp-post-container data-trp-post-id='363220'>Black-and-gold Cotinga
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En bref
- Scientific Name: Lipaugus ater
- Spanish Name: Cotinga negro y dorado
- Famille : Cotingidae
- Known Nicknames: Black-and-gold Cotinga
- Average Length: 28–30 cm / 11–12 in
- Average Weight: 170–200 g / 6–7 oz
- Envergure : N/A
- Key Feature: Male entirely black with bright golden-yellow wing coverts and flight feathers; female is dull olive-brown with yellowish wing edges
- Primary Diet: Primarily Frugivore (fruits, berries, and small figs)
- Range: Southeastern Brazil (from Minas Gerais and Espírito Santo to Rio Grande do Sul) and adjacent northeastern Argentina (Misiones)
- Habitat: Humid montane and lowland Atlantic Forest, often in the canopy and forest edges
- Social Structure: Solitary or in pairs; occasionally joins mixed-species flocks
- Nesting/Breeding: Small cup-shaped nest built in tree forks, usually in dense foliage
- Statut de conservation : Quasi menacé (NT)
- Évolution démographique : En baisse
The Black-and-gold Cotinga (*Lipaugus ater*) is a striking, elusive bird of the Amazonian rainforest canopy, renowned for its dramatic sexual dimorphism and haunting vocalizations. Males are a vision of jet-black plumage contrasted by brilliant golden-yellow patches on the wings and under-tail coverts, with a uniquely swollen, pale blue cere at the base of the bill that gives them an almost prehistoric appearance. Females, in contrast, are a more subdued olive-brown with faint barring, a camouflage essential for nesting. A special feature of this species is its loud, far-carrying, melancholy whistle—a descending, three-note call that often betrays its presence long before the bird is seen, as males perch high in emergent trees to broadcast their eerie song across the forest.
Faits amusants
Despite its name, the Black-and-gold Cotinga is not actually black and gold; males are a striking glossy black with a vivid orange-yellow throat and belly, while females are a drab olive-brown—a textbook case of sexual dimorphism. One of its most bizarre behaviors is a quiet, almost mechanical wing-whirring sound produced during courtship, which sounds more like a tiny engine than a bird. It also has a famously weak, raspy call that is surprisingly underwhelming for such a large, flashy bird. Furthermore, it is a frugivore with a specialized digestive system that allows it to process toxic fruits that other animals cannot eat, acting as a key seed disperser for those plants.
Habitats et répartition
The Black-and-gold Cotinga is restricted to the Atlantic Forest biome of southeastern Brazil, primarily occurring in the states of Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Paraná, and Santa Catarina. This species inhabits the canopy and subcanopy of humid, montane primary forests, typically between 600 and 1,800 meters in elevation. It is often associated with dense, mature forest with tall trees, and shows a strong preference for areas with abundant fruiting trees, particularly in steep, well-drained terrain. Its distribution is now highly fragmented due to extensive deforestation, and it is largely absent from secondary growth or degraded habitats.
Comportements & Reproduction
The Black-and-gold Cotinga is a solitary, lekking species where males gather in traditional display arenas to perform for females. Males do not form pair bonds; instead, they use loud, piercing whistles and wing-fluttering flights from exposed perches to attract visiting females. After a brief copulation, the female alone builds a shallow cup nest in a tree fork, incubates a single egg, and cares for the chick without male assistance. This strategy concentrates male competition into visual and acoustic displays, allowing females to select the fittest mate without any subsequent paternal investment.
Alimentation
The Black-and-gold Cotinga is primarily frugivorous, with its diet consisting almost entirely of fruits, particularly those from trees in the laurel family (Lauraceae) and palm fruits, which it plucks directly from branches while perched. Interestingly, it is a specialized fruit-eater that swallows fruits whole, often regurgitating the large seeds intact, making it a crucial seed disperser for its forest habitat. Another notable dietary fact is that, unlike many other cotingas, it rarely consumes insects or animal matter, and its feeding behavior is highly sedentary, as individuals may remain in a single fruiting tree for extended periods, defending the resource from other frugivorous birds.
Couleurs
The Black-and-gold Cotinga is strikingly dichromatic: the male is entirely glossy black with vivid golden-yellow underwings and a concealed yellow patch on the lower back, while the female is dull olive-brown with faint yellow edging on the wing feathers. It lacks camouflage adaptations, as its bold contrast and iridescent sheen serve as visual signals rather than concealment.
Distribution Map
Places linked to this species. A sighting is never guaranteed.
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Featured places
- Macaé de Cima
- Explorer les sentiers forestiers à la recherche des endémiques de la forêt atlantique
- Intervales Forest Trail Morning
Tours where this species is featured
