Andean Cock-of-the-Rock

Rupicola peruvianus

Cotingidae - Cotingas

The Andean Cock‑of‑the‑rock is one of the most spectacular birds in South America—a bold, sculptural cotinga with colors and shapes that seem almost unreal. Adult males are brilliant orange‑red, with a sweeping disk‑shaped crest that covers the bill and gives the head a dramatic, helmet‑like profile. The wings are black with pale gray panels, and the tail is short and dark. Females are brownish‑olive with a smaller crest, blending more subtly into the forest. The male’s combination of blazing color, exaggerated crest, and upright posture makes it one of the most iconic birds of the Andes.

Species eBird Ecuador Link: Andean Cock-of-the-Rock

Male @ Refugio Paz de los Aves, Pichincha, Ecuador - 11/5/2025

In Ecuador, the Andean Cock‑of‑the‑rock inhabits humid foothill and montane forest on both Andean slopes, typically between 500 and 2,000 meters. It favors steep ravines, rocky outcrops, and dense vegetation near streams—habitats that echo its name. Males gather at traditional leks, where they perform elaborate displays involving bowing, wing‑flashing, bill‑snapping, and loud, guttural calls. Away from leks, the species is surprisingly quiet and often solitary, moving through the mid‑story in search of fruit.

Female @ Tandayapa Bird Lodge, Pichincha, Ecuador - 11/5/2025

Globally, the Andean Cock‑of‑the‑rock is listed as Least Concern, with a broad distribution across the Andes from Venezuela to Bolivia. Although deforestation threatens some local populations, the species remains common in many protected areas and shows moderate tolerance for secondary forest. Its reliance on lek sites—often used for decades or longer—means that habitat loss near these traditional display grounds can have outsized impacts.

@ Refugio Paz de los Aves, Pichincha, Ecuador - 11/5/2025

This species is one of the most dramatic lekking birds in the world. Males gather in tight clusters, sometimes fewer than 10 meters apart, and perform synchronized displays that combine sound, movement, and blazing color. Females visit briefly to choose a mate, after which males play no role in nesting or chick‑rearing. The Cock‑of‑the‑rock’s brilliant plumage is surprisingly effective camouflage in the dappled light of ravines, where orange mosses and filtered sunlight create a glowing backdrop. Encountering a lek at dawn is one of the signature experiences of Andean birding.