Andean Cock-of-the-rock

Andean Cock-of-the-rock

Andean Cock-of-the-rock

The Andean Cock-of-the-rock (Rupicola peruvianus) is a bird native to Andean Cloud forests of South America. It is the National Bird of Peru. The bird is 31-32 cm long and has a stout body. Males have a large disc-like crest with a deep scarlet or bright orange plumage; red tail and pale grey feathers on back; a short yellow bill that is almost covered by the crest. The females are dark chestnut-brown with blacker throat and wings. They have smaller crest, pale whitish-blue eyes, and grey legs and feet and has yellow tipped blackish bill. During the breeding season, the males display at communal leks where up to 15 birds may gather. Males perform ritual displays in pairs, such as bowing and head bobbing towards each other. They also jump, flap their wings and perform bill-snapping and calling. The bird mainly takes fruits as food, large insects and small vertebrates.