Range

South America is the native home of the Andean cock-of-the-rock. Here they can be found throughout Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela. As their name suggests they live in parts of the Andes Mountain range.

Habitat

They make their home in forests and wetlands. In addition to these they can be found in rocky gorges and ravines on the borders of rivers and streams. This habitat led to the rock portion of their name.

Reproduction

Breeding occurs from February to July though this can vary across parts of their range.

Males will gather at a location known as a lek. Here up to 15 males will compete for the mating rights of a single family. A number of males will glare at one another before one dips its head and lets out their raucous call. The others begin to join before a display of wing-flapping and head bouncing occurs. Females may approach the males throughout and their displays intensify at this point.

Young males will participate in the lek before sexual maturity to try and learn the ways to be successful.

Once a female selects the male she would like to mate with she will walk behind him and nibble at his feathers or peck his neck.

Males will return to the lek after mating and try to attract another a mate.

Females create a nest from mud, palm fiber and saliva which is shaped like a cup. This is built against a rock or in a cave. It may take a month for her to perfect her nest and she will not mate till this is complete.

Following a successful mating the female will deposit two eggs in the nest which she incubates alone for their 22-28 day incubation. One clutch is produced each year.

At hatching the chicks are highly underdeveloped and the mother provides them with food. They require care for the next 45 days.

Behavior

The Andean cock-of-the-rock will make a range of vocalizations such as popping noises created by closing the bill.

Predators and Threats

The main threat presented by humans to their survival is habitat loss. They may also be captured in small amounts for the pet trade.

Quick facts

The Andean cock-of-the-rock is the national bird of Peru.

Their genus name – Rupicola comes from the Latin word ‘rupe’ for rock and the suffix ‘cola’ meaning inhabitant.