Pompadour cotinga

Pompadour Cotinga (Xipholena punicea) is a species of bird in the Cotingidae family, which is native to the tropical forests of South America. This striking bird is known for its vibrant plumage, with males displaying a deep red or purplish color and females a more subdued greenish-yellow. The species is named after the Marquise de Pompadour, the chief mistress of King Louis XV of France, known for her elaborate hairstyles, which the bird's crest is said to resemble.

Description

The Pompadour Cotinga is a medium-sized bird, with males and females exhibiting sexual dimorphism in their plumage. Males are predominantly bright red or purple with black wings and tail, while females and juveniles are mostly greenish-yellow with darker wings and tail. Both sexes have a distinctive round body shape, short tail, and a small but stout bill, adapted for their fruit-based diet.

Habitat and Distribution

The Pompadour Cotinga is found across the Amazon Basin, extending from the Guianas and Venezuela in the north to Bolivia and Brazil in the south. It prefers the canopy and sub-canopy levels of lowland moist forests, rarely venturing into disturbed or secondary forests. This species is largely sedentary, with little known about its migratory patterns.

Behavior

Feeding

Pompadour Cotingas are frugivores, primarily feeding on a variety of fruits found in the canopy. They are known to feed alone or in small groups, often remaining still for long periods as they watch for food.

Breeding

Little is known about the breeding habits of the Pompadour Cotinga. It is believed that they are monogamous and nest in the high trees of the tropical forest canopy. The specifics of their nesting behavior, including the number of eggs laid and the duration of the incubation period, remain largely undocumented.

Conservation Status

The Pompadour Cotinga is currently listed as Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Although its population size is unknown, it is believed to be stable. However, habitat destruction and deforestation in the Amazon Basin pose potential threats to its habitat and food sources.

See Also

• Cotingidae
• Birds of South America
• Frugivore
• Conservation status