Kingdom : Animalia Class : Aves Family : Cotingidae Scientific Name : Cephalopterus Colour : Black Skin Type : Feathers Size(H) : 38cm - 50cm (15in - 20in) Wing Span : 66cm - 71cm (26in - 28in) Weight : 320g - 570g (11.30z - 20oz) Life Span : 12 - 20 years Distinctive Features : Umbrella-like crest and black feathers Fun Fact : Migrates up and down the mountains
- Umbrella bird is a large bird found in the rain forests of Central and South America.
- They are black, have a distinctive crest on their heads and a pronounced wattle.
- Female Umbrella birds are smaller than males and also have a smaller crest and wattle.
- The wattle helps to amplify the Umbrella birds calls making them loud and booming.
- Although Umbrella birds live mainly on trees, surprisingly they cannot fly very well.
- Umbrella birds are diurnal and have an omnivorous diet of fruits, seeds, insects and spiders.
- There are 3 main species of Umbrella birds: Long-Wattled Umbrella bird, Amazonian Umbrella bird and Bare-Necked Umbrella bird.
- They are altitudinal migrants as they move from to different altitudes of the mountains.
- They are usually solitary birds but congregate in groups called lek during mating season.
- Males attract females by fanning out their crests and by making low rumbling sounds.
- Mating season is March – June and females build nests to lay just one egg.
- Incubation period for Umbrella birds is 1 month and chicks fledge around 8 – 10 weeks.
- Umbrella birds attain sexual maturity and are ready for reproduction around 2 – 4 years.
- The main predators of Umbrella birds are large birds of prey, snakes and monkeys.
- Umbrella birds are threatened because of hunting and loss of habitat due to deforestation.
- Umbrella birds can live for about 12 – 20 years.