Bare-necked Umbrellabird

The Bare-necked Umbrellabird, a member of the Cotingidae family, is a striking avian species. It is distinguished by its large, crow-like stature, making it the largest passerine within its habitat. The males, particularly more robust than the females, measure an impressive 41 cm in length and weigh around 450 g. Females are slightly smaller, at 36 cm and 320 g. This bird is second in size only to the Amazonian umbrellabird among the cotingas.

Identification Tips

When observing the Bare-necked Umbrellabird, look for its distinctive bulky silhouette and the absence of feathers on its neck, which gives the species its name. The males are especially notable for their size and the prominent crest that resembles an umbrella, a feature less pronounced in females.

Habitat

This species is a denizen of the Talamancan montane forests, favoring the subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest and subtropical or tropical moist montane forest. It is most commonly found in the subcanopy to upper understory of primary forests, although it may occasionally venture into secondary forests, especially near fruiting trees.

Distribution

The Bare-necked Umbrellabird's range extends through the Talamancan montane forests of Costa Rica and Panama, with sightings reported as far north as southern Nicaragua.

Behaviour

These birds exhibit an annual altitudinal migration in search of fruit. Outside the breeding season, males typically reside at elevations between 100–500 m, while females are found around 200 m. During the breeding season, from March to June, they ascend to higher elevations of 1,000–1,500 m to capitalize on the abundance of fruit.

Diet and Feeding

Primarily frugivorous, the Bare-necked Umbrellabird feeds on a variety of berries from families such as Marcgraviaceae, Urticaceae, Arecaceae, Lauraceae, and Annonaceae. It also supplements its diet with lizards, frogs, insects, and larvae. These birds are adept at plucking fruits mid-flight or executing heavy hops to glean them from vegetation.

Breeding

The breeding season for this species occurs from March to June in Costa Rica and from April to September in Panama. Males engage in lekking behavior, where they display at communal sites to attract females for mating.

Conservation status

The Bare-necked Umbrellabird is currently classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. The global population is estimated to be fewer than 2,500 mature individuals and is in decline, primarily due to habitat loss.