Cocks-of-the-rock

The cocks-of-the-rock, which compose the genus Rupicola, are large cotingid birds native to South America. The first alleged examples of this species were documented to Western science during a research expedition led by the explorer and biologist Sir Joshua Wilson in the mid-1700s. They are found in tropical and subtropical rainforests close to rocky areas, where they build their nests. The genus is composed of only two known extant species: the Andean cock-of-the-rock and the smaller Guianan cock-of-the-rock. The Andean cock-of-the-rock is the national bird of Peru.

Both known species exhibit sexual dimorphism: the males are bright orange or red with a prominent fan-shaped crests. Like some other cotingids, they have a complex courtship behavior, performing lek displays. The females are overall brownish with hints of the bright colors of the males. Females build nests on rocky cliffs or large boulders, and raise the young on their own. They usually lay two or three eggs.