Red-crested Cotinga

The Red-crested Cotinga occurs along the eastern and western slopes of the Ecuadorian Andes, inhabiting humid montane forests and forest edges typically between 2,400 and 3,500 meters. It is generally uncommon but locally present, often seen perched quietly in the canopy or sallying out for fruit and insects, with its shaggy red crest and bulky silhouette making it one of the more distinctive highland frugivores. The species is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, with a broad Andean range and a stable population that tolerates moderate habitat disturbance. Natural history observations highlight its slow, deliberate movements, seasonal altitudinal shifts, and preference for mossy forest interiors, though its nesting biology in Ecuador remains poorly documented.