Yellow-billed Cotinga

The Yellow-billed Cotinga, a bird of striking simplicity, is adorned in a pure white plumage for the males, with a crown tinged in pearly-grey. Females, however, present a more subdued palette of pale brownish-grey on the upper parts and greyish-white below. Both sexes are characterized by their distinctive yellow beaks, setting them apart from their close relative, the Snowy Cotinga.

Identification Tips

To distinguish the Yellow-billed Cotinga from its relatives, one should note the male's white plumage and the female's greyish tones. The key identifier, however, is the yellow bill, contrasting with the Snowy Cotinga's bluish-grey bill.

Habitat

This species favors the subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, thriving in mangrove forests and occasionally venturing into adjacent shrubland or isolated trees in more open areas.

Distribution

Endemic to the Pacific lowlands, the Yellow-billed Cotinga graces Costa Rica and the westernmost regions of Panama. Notable populations are found near the Tárcoles River, Carara National Park, Golfo Dulce, and the Osa Peninsula, with the Sierpe River serving as a primary nesting site.

Behaviour

Observations reveal that males, and occasionally females, engage in a conspicuous display of perching high and executing low, swooping flights over water, which may be part of a courtship ritual.

Status

With an estimated population of 150 to 700 mature individuals, the Yellow-billed Cotinga faces a decline due to habitat destruction. Mangrove deforestation for agricultural conversion poses a significant threat, leading the International Union for Conservation of Nature to classify the species as Near Threatened.

Conservation Status

The Yellow-billed Cotinga's existence is imperiled by the relentless conversion of its mangrove habitat into shrimp ponds, pastures, and rice fields. The alteration of the landscape and hydrology due to deforestation and infrastructure development further exacerbates the situation, prompting conservationists to raise alarms about its future.