Cotingidae

▪ bird family

      bird family, of the order Passeriformes, collectively often called cotingas and including about 90 species, as presently classified. Many species are given common names pertaining to their voice or food habits or derived from native names: fruiteater, berryeater, mourner, bellbird, chatterer, piha, tityra. Many forms (Attila and relatives) are flycatcher-like in appearance and habits and are considered by some authorities to belong in the family Tyrannidae. The Cotingidae include some of the most bizarre and vivid examples of male ornamentation found among birds. Many species have odd calls—some sound like the ringing of a bell, the lowing of a calf, or the tapping of a hammer—that by constant repetition have given them the name chatterers. All Contingidae have a broad bill with slightly hooked tip, rounded wings, and short legs. Many have peculiar wing feathers that are curly, twisted, or narrowed. Most are solitary forest birds that feed on fruit or insects, mainly in treetops. Because of their elusiveness, few species of Cotingidae have been adequately studied.

      Examples of the more colourful Cotingidae are the light blue Cotinga amabilis, found from Mexico to Costa Rica, and the reddish lavender Xipholena punicea of the Guiana Highlands and Brazil. The Carpodectes nitidus of Central America is one of the few white tropical birds.

      For information about other members of the family, see becard; bellbird; cock-of-the-rock; tityra; umbrellabird.

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