Guianan Cock-Of-The-Rock

The Guianan Cock-of-the-rock  is a species of South American passerine. It is about 30 centimetres in length and weighs about 200 to 220 grams . They are found in tropical rainforests near its preferred habitat of rocky outcrops. The males plumage is bright orange and the males have a prominent half-moon crest. The females are brownish in colour and are generally much duller coloured than the males. It is one of two species of the genus Rupicola the other being the Andean Cock-of-the-rock. The Guianan Cock-of- the rock lives across the forested region of northeastern South America. Its diet consists mostly of fruit but sometimes includes small snakes and lizards.The Guianan Cock-of-the-rock breeds in the early months of the year and, on average, lays its eggs around March. During the height of the mating season males engage in competitive displays in lek which is a complex courting behaviour that is done to attract females. Males and females live separately except when the females choose a mate. The mating success varies based on multiple factors ranging from the plumage exhibited by a male to the composition of the lek itself. The females choose a male by flying down to the ground and pecking the male on his rump. The male then turns around and the mating takes place almost immediately. Since no attempts to breed the Guianan Cock-of-the-rock in captivity have succeeded, there is speculation that the male-to-male competition is an important factor in lek formation and breeding, and that artificial environments may not properly reconstruct or imitate natural environments. The main predators of the Guianan Cock-of-the-rock are Harpy Eagles and Black-and-white Hawk-Eagles.
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