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Fruit and nectar feeders Cotingas • Cotingas (Passeriformes) are among the most ‘glamorous’ of Neotropical birds • Bellbirds, umbrellabirds, cocks-of- the-rock, pihas, fruiteaters, fruit- crows, and purpletufts • All are rainforest birds, some continuing up into the cloud forests and all are ‘extreme’ fruit specialists

Fruit and nectar feeders Cotingas Cotingas (Passeriformes) are among the most ‘glamorous’ of Neotropical birds Bellbirds, umbrellabirds, cocks-of-the-

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Page 1: Fruit and nectar feeders Cotingas Cotingas (Passeriformes) are among the most ‘glamorous’ of Neotropical birds Bellbirds, umbrellabirds, cocks-of-the-

Fruit and nectar feedersCotingas

• Cotingas (Passeriformes) are among the most ‘glamorous’ of Neotropical birds

• Bellbirds, umbrellabirds, cocks-of-the-rock, pihas, fruiteaters, fruit-crows, and purpletufts

• All are rainforest birds, some continuing up into the cloud forests and all are ‘extreme’ fruit specialists

Page 2: Fruit and nectar feeders Cotingas Cotingas (Passeriformes) are among the most ‘glamorous’ of Neotropical birds Bellbirds, umbrellabirds, cocks-of-the-

Fruit and nectar feedersCotingas

• Cotingas have wide, flattened bills, accomdating round fruits

• Poor seed predator=good disperser

• Heavy fruit diet also results in very slow incubation time for young

Page 3: Fruit and nectar feeders Cotingas Cotingas (Passeriformes) are among the most ‘glamorous’ of Neotropical birds Bellbirds, umbrellabirds, cocks-of-the-

Fruit and nectar feedersCotingas

• Umbrellabirds and cocks-of-the-rock, are large and have ornate plumage on their heads

Page 4: Fruit and nectar feeders Cotingas Cotingas (Passeriformes) are among the most ‘glamorous’ of Neotropical birds Bellbirds, umbrellabirds, cocks-of-the-

Fruit and nectar feedersCotingas

• Pihas (captain of the forest) and fruiteaters are smaller and drab

• Sexually, range from monogamous (frequently lacking dimorphism) to polygynous, some with large leks

Page 5: Fruit and nectar feeders Cotingas Cotingas (Passeriformes) are among the most ‘glamorous’ of Neotropical birds Bellbirds, umbrellabirds, cocks-of-the-

Fruit and nectar feedersCotingas

• Voice: bellbirds are known for the loud, bell-like notes, pihas for loud scream

• Plumage: cotingas have shiny metallic plumage and cock-of-the-rock and umbrellabirds for the dramatic head feathers

Page 6: Fruit and nectar feeders Cotingas Cotingas (Passeriformes) are among the most ‘glamorous’ of Neotropical birds Bellbirds, umbrellabirds, cocks-of-the-

Fruit and nectar feedersCotingas

Page 7: Fruit and nectar feeders Cotingas Cotingas (Passeriformes) are among the most ‘glamorous’ of Neotropical birds Bellbirds, umbrellabirds, cocks-of-the-

Fruit and nectar feedersCotingas

Page 8: Fruit and nectar feeders Cotingas Cotingas (Passeriformes) are among the most ‘glamorous’ of Neotropical birds Bellbirds, umbrellabirds, cocks-of-the-

Fruit and nectar feedersManakins

• 53sp of manakins (Passeriformes) which are small, chunky, frugivores inhabiting lowland forests

• Phylogenetically close to cotingas and tyrant flycathers (several genera may not be true manakins)

• Males very colorful, females usually drab

Page 9: Fruit and nectar feeders Cotingas Cotingas (Passeriformes) are among the most ‘glamorous’ of Neotropical birds Bellbirds, umbrellabirds, cocks-of-the-

Fruit and nectar feedersManakins

• Manakins have short tails, rounded wings, and a short but wide bill with a hooked tip

• Pluck fruit on the wing

• Occasionally eat arthropods

Page 10: Fruit and nectar feeders Cotingas Cotingas (Passeriformes) are among the most ‘glamorous’ of Neotropical birds Bellbirds, umbrellabirds, cocks-of-the-

Fruit and nectar feedersManakins

• Famous for the elaborate courtship displays

• Many are ‘arena’ birds and display in large leks, others have cooperative displays

• Females build nests, incubate and feed small clutch (one or two)

Page 11: Fruit and nectar feeders Cotingas Cotingas (Passeriformes) are among the most ‘glamorous’ of Neotropical birds Bellbirds, umbrellabirds, cocks-of-the-

Fruit and nectar feedersManakins

• VIDEO

Page 12: Fruit and nectar feeders Cotingas Cotingas (Passeriformes) are among the most ‘glamorous’ of Neotropical birds Bellbirds, umbrellabirds, cocks-of-the-

Suboscines

• Of the 3,700+ sp of Neotropical birds, approximately 1,000 are ‘suboscines’

• There are only 50 other suboscines worldwide

• They are part of perching birds (Passeriformes) of which, most are oscines (songbirds: complex musculature of the syrinx)

Page 13: Fruit and nectar feeders Cotingas Cotingas (Passeriformes) are among the most ‘glamorous’ of Neotropical birds Bellbirds, umbrellabirds, cocks-of-the-

Suboscines

• There are two major radiations– Tyrant flycatchers, manakins, and

contingas– Woodcreepers, ovenbirds, true antbirds,

ground antbirds, gnateaters, and tapaculos

• Not clear as to why this group is so successful in the Neotropics; may be historical

Page 14: Fruit and nectar feeders Cotingas Cotingas (Passeriformes) are among the most ‘glamorous’ of Neotropical birds Bellbirds, umbrellabirds, cocks-of-the-

SuboscinesInsect-Arthropod Feeders

• Many groups utilize insects and arthropods as the primary portion of their diet

• They are extremely species-rich– Ovenbirds (218 sp)– Antbirds and Ground Antbirds (250 sp)– Woodcreepers (45 sp)– Tyrant flycathers (393 sp)

• All are Neotropical sp (a few tyrants mig)

Page 15: Fruit and nectar feeders Cotingas Cotingas (Passeriformes) are among the most ‘glamorous’ of Neotropical birds Bellbirds, umbrellabirds, cocks-of-the-

SuboscinesInsect-Arthropod Feeders

• Tyrannids, ovenbirds, and antbirds each represent adaptive radiations, probably assisted by the specialization encouraged by dietary competition

• Insect catching birds are going to develop a particular pattern of feeding and its size, behavior, and bill shape become very refined on a particular size range and type of prey

Page 16: Fruit and nectar feeders Cotingas Cotingas (Passeriformes) are among the most ‘glamorous’ of Neotropical birds Bellbirds, umbrellabirds, cocks-of-the-

SuboscinesInsect-Arthropod Feeders

• When you add the high inter-specific competition in the tropics, the diffuse competition encourages an individual to stay focused on its optimal niche

Page 17: Fruit and nectar feeders Cotingas Cotingas (Passeriformes) are among the most ‘glamorous’ of Neotropical birds Bellbirds, umbrellabirds, cocks-of-the-

SuboscinesInsect-Arthropod Feeders

• Insectivorous diets are frequently categorized by how they forage– Flycatching (tyrants, puffbirds, nunbirds)– Bark probing (woodpeckers &

woodcreepers)– Foliage gleaning (ovenbirds & many

antbirds)– Ant following (some antbirds, other sp)

Page 18: Fruit and nectar feeders Cotingas Cotingas (Passeriformes) are among the most ‘glamorous’ of Neotropical birds Bellbirds, umbrellabirds, cocks-of-the-

SuboscinesInsect-Arthropod Feeders

(flycatching)• Puffbirds and

Nunbirds (Piciformes) consist of 32 endemic Neotropical sp

• Found throughout Amazon basin

• All excavate, many in termite mounds

Page 19: Fruit and nectar feeders Cotingas Cotingas (Passeriformes) are among the most ‘glamorous’ of Neotropical birds Bellbirds, umbrellabirds, cocks-of-the-

SuboscinesInsect-Arthropod Feeders

(flycatching)• Puffbirds look

puffy and most are brown (some black and white)

• Cryptic plumage, stationary feeding and understory location make them rarely seen

Page 20: Fruit and nectar feeders Cotingas Cotingas (Passeriformes) are among the most ‘glamorous’ of Neotropical birds Bellbirds, umbrellabirds, cocks-of-the-

SuboscinesInsect-Arthropod Feeders (bark

feeders)• Woodpeckers (family Picidae,

Piciformes) both drill and probe bark, extracting mostly larvae using their long, extrusible, barbed tongue

• Occur worldwide (not Australia)• Vary in size..ivory-billed (35cm) to

piculets (9cm); Imperial (60cm) of western Mexico probably extinct

Page 21: Fruit and nectar feeders Cotingas Cotingas (Passeriformes) are among the most ‘glamorous’ of Neotropical birds Bellbirds, umbrellabirds, cocks-of-the-

SuboscinesInsect-Arthropod Feeders (bark

feeders)• Climb vertically using adapted tail as

a third prop• Toes zygodactyl to help

grasp

Page 22: Fruit and nectar feeders Cotingas Cotingas (Passeriformes) are among the most ‘glamorous’ of Neotropical birds Bellbirds, umbrellabirds, cocks-of-the-

SuboscinesInsect-Arthropod Feeders (bark

feeders)• Range in color from black and red

crest, to greenish olive, to soft browns and chestnut

Page 23: Fruit and nectar feeders Cotingas Cotingas (Passeriformes) are among the most ‘glamorous’ of Neotropical birds Bellbirds, umbrellabirds, cocks-of-the-

SuboscinesInsect-Arthropod Feeders (bark

feeders)• Others are ‘ladderbacks’ of B&W

Page 24: Fruit and nectar feeders Cotingas Cotingas (Passeriformes) are among the most ‘glamorous’ of Neotropical birds Bellbirds, umbrellabirds, cocks-of-the-

SuboscinesInsect-Arthropod Feeders (bark

feeders)• Woodpeckers are

primary excavators, but are frequently usurped by larger species (e.g. collared aracaris)

Page 25: Fruit and nectar feeders Cotingas Cotingas (Passeriformes) are among the most ‘glamorous’ of Neotropical birds Bellbirds, umbrellabirds, cocks-of-the-

SuboscinesInsect-Arthropod Feeders (bark

feeders)• Woodcreepers look like woodpeckers,

but are unrelated (family Dendrocolaptidae, Passeriformes), most closely related to ovenbirds

• Excellent example of evolutionary convergence

• Feed by probing bark crevices & epiphytes

• May join army ant mixed-species flocks

Page 26: Fruit and nectar feeders Cotingas Cotingas (Passeriformes) are among the most ‘glamorous’ of Neotropical birds Bellbirds, umbrellabirds, cocks-of-the-

SuboscinesInsect-Arthropod Feeders (bark

feeders)• Like furnids,

woodcreepers are soft shades of brown and rufous (with some whitish or yellowish streaking)

Page 27: Fruit and nectar feeders Cotingas Cotingas (Passeriformes) are among the most ‘glamorous’ of Neotropical birds Bellbirds, umbrellabirds, cocks-of-the-

SuboscinesInsect-Arthropod Feeders (bark

feeders)• Its overall size, bill size and shape,

and streaking pattern usually separate one species from another

• Range in size from 15cm to 36cm• Found in wet to dry forests

Page 28: Fruit and nectar feeders Cotingas Cotingas (Passeriformes) are among the most ‘glamorous’ of Neotropical birds Bellbirds, umbrellabirds, cocks-of-the-

SuboscinesInsect-Arthropod Feeders (bark

feeders)• Personal favorite;

scythebills• Feed in bromeliads

and other epiphytes

Page 29: Fruit and nectar feeders Cotingas Cotingas (Passeriformes) are among the most ‘glamorous’ of Neotropical birds Bellbirds, umbrellabirds, cocks-of-the-

SuboscinesInsect-Arthropod Feeders

(foliage gleaners)• Ovenbirds (Furnariidae;

Passeriformes) are ‘LBB’ of the tropicsw

• All are brown, tan, or gray with very little subtle differences occurring

Page 30: Fruit and nectar feeders Cotingas Cotingas (Passeriformes) are among the most ‘glamorous’ of Neotropical birds Bellbirds, umbrellabirds, cocks-of-the-

SuboscinesInsect-Arthropod Feeders

(foliage gleaners)• Name is derived from ‘oven’ like

dome-shaped nests (although not all do this)

• Occur in lowland forest, cloud forest, dry forests, as well as the pampas, puna and paramo

Page 31: Fruit and nectar feeders Cotingas Cotingas (Passeriformes) are among the most ‘glamorous’ of Neotropical birds Bellbirds, umbrellabirds, cocks-of-the-

SuboscinesInsect-Arthropod Feeders (ant

followers)• Antbirds (Formicariidae;

Passeriformes) include antbirds, antshrikes, antwrens, antvireos, antthrushes, & antpittas

• They follow…ants• The degree to which they follow varies

from never to ‘professionally’• Antbirds are more colorful than the

ovenbirds with many having sexually dimorphic species

Page 32: Fruit and nectar feeders Cotingas Cotingas (Passeriformes) are among the most ‘glamorous’ of Neotropical birds Bellbirds, umbrellabirds, cocks-of-the-

SuboscinesInsect-Arthropod Feeders (ant

followers)• Males are frequently

boldly barred BW• Many have chestnut

or brown as well• Many have blue or

red skin around eye, some have a red eye

Page 33: Fruit and nectar feeders Cotingas Cotingas (Passeriformes) are among the most ‘glamorous’ of Neotropical birds Bellbirds, umbrellabirds, cocks-of-the-

SuboscinesInsect-Arthropod Feeders (ant

followers)• Most antbirds are foliage gleaners,

picking and snatching insects from the foliage, with some catching on the wing

• They typically form mixed species flocks with other birds and divide the area vertically amongst themselves

• Certain species tend to dominate the central positions

Page 34: Fruit and nectar feeders Cotingas Cotingas (Passeriformes) are among the most ‘glamorous’ of Neotropical birds Bellbirds, umbrellabirds, cocks-of-the-

SuboscinesInsect-Arthropod Feeders (ant

followers)• How would you describe the

relationship amongst the members of these flocks?

• There are 28 sp of ‘professional’ ant-following birds

• In addition, there are many species which opportunistically join flocks as they pass through their territories

• Some butterflies join the flock. Why?

Page 35: Fruit and nectar feeders Cotingas Cotingas (Passeriformes) are among the most ‘glamorous’ of Neotropical birds Bellbirds, umbrellabirds, cocks-of-the-

SuboscinesInsect-Arthropod Feeders (ant

followers)• In central America, the spotted

antbird, bicolored antbird and black-faced antthrush are dominant players

Page 36: Fruit and nectar feeders Cotingas Cotingas (Passeriformes) are among the most ‘glamorous’ of Neotropical birds Bellbirds, umbrellabirds, cocks-of-the-

SuboscinesInsect-Arthropod Feeders (ant

followers)• Some of the part-timers following ant

swarms are woodcreepers, ovenbirds, motmots, some tanagers, and a surprising number of migrants

• Only when breeding to they cease to follow ants (although they quickly follow any ants that come through their territory)

Page 37: Fruit and nectar feeders Cotingas Cotingas (Passeriformes) are among the most ‘glamorous’ of Neotropical birds Bellbirds, umbrellabirds, cocks-of-the-

SuboscinesInsect-Arthropod Feeders (ant

followers)• Antbirds mate for life

and both sexes help building and raising young

• At least one species, ocellated antbird, forms clans with subsequent male generations returning and defending territory

Page 38: Fruit and nectar feeders Cotingas Cotingas (Passeriformes) are among the most ‘glamorous’ of Neotropical birds Bellbirds, umbrellabirds, cocks-of-the-

Birds of Prey

• Not surprisingly, birds of prey are also very abundant in the tropics

• Many species occupy open areas as they are easy to soar and search

• However, plenty of species still utilize the resources of the forests (e.g. forest falcons)

Page 39: Fruit and nectar feeders Cotingas Cotingas (Passeriformes) are among the most ‘glamorous’ of Neotropical birds Bellbirds, umbrellabirds, cocks-of-the-

Birds of PreyKites

• 11 sp of kites live in the Neotropics eating small animals such as mice, birds, lizards and arthropods

• Generally have sharp, hooked bills

• Often in savannas

Page 40: Fruit and nectar feeders Cotingas Cotingas (Passeriformes) are among the most ‘glamorous’ of Neotropical birds Bellbirds, umbrellabirds, cocks-of-the-

Birds of PreyKites

• Notable species include the snail kite, swallow-tailed kite, pearl kite (at 9” one of the smallest)

Page 41: Fruit and nectar feeders Cotingas Cotingas (Passeriformes) are among the most ‘glamorous’ of Neotropical birds Bellbirds, umbrellabirds, cocks-of-the-

Birds of PreyHawks, Falcons, & Caracaras

• 40 sp of hawks are found in the Neotropics

• Crane Hawk is found in wet savannas to mangroves and probes epiphytes and branches for amphibians and reptiles

Page 42: Fruit and nectar feeders Cotingas Cotingas (Passeriformes) are among the most ‘glamorous’ of Neotropical birds Bellbirds, umbrellabirds, cocks-of-the-

Birds of PreyHawks, Falcons, & Caracaras

• Savanna Hawk which is often seen walking

• In contrast, the white hawk often is seen soaring over forests

• Other soarers include the black hawk and great black hawk

Page 43: Fruit and nectar feeders Cotingas Cotingas (Passeriformes) are among the most ‘glamorous’ of Neotropical birds Bellbirds, umbrellabirds, cocks-of-the-

Birds of PreyHawks, Falcons, & Caracaras

• Black-collared hawk feeds on fish, found near marshes

• Distinctive shape (wide wings, short tail)

Page 44: Fruit and nectar feeders Cotingas Cotingas (Passeriformes) are among the most ‘glamorous’ of Neotropical birds Bellbirds, umbrellabirds, cocks-of-the-

Birds of PreyHawks, Falcons, & Caracaras

• Roadside hawk is among the most commonly seen BoP in the tropics as it frequently is perched along roads

• Highly variable plumage (13 races)

Page 45: Fruit and nectar feeders Cotingas Cotingas (Passeriformes) are among the most ‘glamorous’ of Neotropical birds Bellbirds, umbrellabirds, cocks-of-the-

Birds of PreyHawks, Falcons, & Caracaras

• Falcons are small, speedy BoP that rely on aerial agility

• Typified by long tail and sharp wings

• Feed on birds, small mammals, insects and even bats

Page 46: Fruit and nectar feeders Cotingas Cotingas (Passeriformes) are among the most ‘glamorous’ of Neotropical birds Bellbirds, umbrellabirds, cocks-of-the-

Birds of PreyHawks, Falcons, & Caracaras

• The laughing falcon is found along forest edges

• Loud call• Eats snakes (and

others)

Page 47: Fruit and nectar feeders Cotingas Cotingas (Passeriformes) are among the most ‘glamorous’ of Neotropical birds Bellbirds, umbrellabirds, cocks-of-the-

Birds of PreyHawks, Falcons, & Caracaras

• Forest falcons are grayish falcons that lurk in the forests, often sitting motionless

Page 48: Fruit and nectar feeders Cotingas Cotingas (Passeriformes) are among the most ‘glamorous’ of Neotropical birds Bellbirds, umbrellabirds, cocks-of-the-

Birds of PreyHawks, Falcons, & Caracaras

• Yellow-headed Caracara is extremely common and can be seen in flocks

• Why flock?– Carrion feeders…

what is the limitation?

Page 49: Fruit and nectar feeders Cotingas Cotingas (Passeriformes) are among the most ‘glamorous’ of Neotropical birds Bellbirds, umbrellabirds, cocks-of-the-

Birds of PreyHawks, Falcons, & Caracaras

• The largest Neotropical bird of prey are eagles and hawk-eagles (3sp)– Ornate hawk-eagle– Black hawk-eagle– B&W hawk-eagle

Page 50: Fruit and nectar feeders Cotingas Cotingas (Passeriformes) are among the most ‘glamorous’ of Neotropical birds Bellbirds, umbrellabirds, cocks-of-the-

Birds of PreyHawks, Falcons, & Caracaras

• Harpy eagle is a huge predator (>1m) with very thick legs

• Territories frequently exceed 100km2

• Strictly a forest dweller

• Eats monkeys and sloths

Page 51: Fruit and nectar feeders Cotingas Cotingas (Passeriformes) are among the most ‘glamorous’ of Neotropical birds Bellbirds, umbrellabirds, cocks-of-the-

Birds of PreyOwls

• Owls (Strigiformes) has two groups, the barn owls (Tytonidae) and typical owls (Strigidae)

• 24 neotropical birds

Page 52: Fruit and nectar feeders Cotingas Cotingas (Passeriformes) are among the most ‘glamorous’ of Neotropical birds Bellbirds, umbrellabirds, cocks-of-the-

Birds of PreyOwls

• Spectacled owl is the largest Neotropical owl (19”)

Page 53: Fruit and nectar feeders Cotingas Cotingas (Passeriformes) are among the most ‘glamorous’ of Neotropical birds Bellbirds, umbrellabirds, cocks-of-the-

Birds of PreyOwls

• B&W owl

Mottled owl

Page 54: Fruit and nectar feeders Cotingas Cotingas (Passeriformes) are among the most ‘glamorous’ of Neotropical birds Bellbirds, umbrellabirds, cocks-of-the-

Birds of PreyOwls

• It is not uncommon to see pygmy owls (6”) during the day

Page 55: Fruit and nectar feeders Cotingas Cotingas (Passeriformes) are among the most ‘glamorous’ of Neotropical birds Bellbirds, umbrellabirds, cocks-of-the-

the Southern Invasion

• During the autumn, approximately >50% of birds breeding in North America head south

• The majority pull up in C Am, but many continue to S Am while still others winter in the West Indies

Page 56: Fruit and nectar feeders Cotingas Cotingas (Passeriformes) are among the most ‘glamorous’ of Neotropical birds Bellbirds, umbrellabirds, cocks-of-the-

the Southern Invasion

• The abundance of migrants is high, but central America is 1/8th the size

• Consider dry forests of western Mex– Summer 2 birds/ha– Winter 64 birds/ha

Page 57: Fruit and nectar feeders Cotingas Cotingas (Passeriformes) are among the most ‘glamorous’ of Neotropical birds Bellbirds, umbrellabirds, cocks-of-the-

the Southern Invasion

• Many of the species are not migrating away from the harsh winter of the temperate zone but rather returning home to the tropics from ‘seasonal bounty’ of the temperate zone

• E.g. tyrannid flycatchers, hummingbirds, tanagers, orioles and wood warblers

Page 58: Fruit and nectar feeders Cotingas Cotingas (Passeriformes) are among the most ‘glamorous’ of Neotropical birds Bellbirds, umbrellabirds, cocks-of-the-

the Southern Invasion

Page 59: Fruit and nectar feeders Cotingas Cotingas (Passeriformes) are among the most ‘glamorous’ of Neotropical birds Bellbirds, umbrellabirds, cocks-of-the-

the Southern Invasion

• Many species come down and take advantage of brushy habitat

• E.g. GRCA, NOYE, YBCH• Others take advantage of the forest• E.g. WOTH, OVEN, AMRE, other

warblers• Still others occupy successional

habitat

Page 60: Fruit and nectar feeders Cotingas Cotingas (Passeriformes) are among the most ‘glamorous’ of Neotropical birds Bellbirds, umbrellabirds, cocks-of-the-

the Southern Invasion

• Other species have relatively large dietary shifts in the tropics and some become frugivores

• E.g. NOOR, OROR, SCTA, SUTA

Page 61: Fruit and nectar feeders Cotingas Cotingas (Passeriformes) are among the most ‘glamorous’ of Neotropical birds Bellbirds, umbrellabirds, cocks-of-the-

the Southern Invasion

• The degree to which migrants interact with local species probably varies across space and time and will be dependent upon local resources and the abundance of competitors

• E.g. on BCI, several migrants actively prevented from joining in mixed-antbird flocks

• In Amazon, many migrants join

Page 62: Fruit and nectar feeders Cotingas Cotingas (Passeriformes) are among the most ‘glamorous’ of Neotropical birds Bellbirds, umbrellabirds, cocks-of-the-

the Southern Invasion

• At least some species move in and become part of the larger avian community

• Several species, WOTH, OVEN, GRCA (and other species as well) all occupy the same locations from one year to the next

Site fidelity