SPANGLED COTINGA (Cotinga cayana): SPECIES ACCOUNTS
AMAZONIAN UMBRELLABIRD (Cephalopterus ornatus): SPECIES ACCOUNTS
GUIANAN COCK-OF-THE-ROCK (Rupicola rupicola): SPECIES ACCOUNTS
GEOGRAPHIC RANGE
Cotingas live in southern Mexico, almost all of Central America, and in South America as far south as Argentina. The greatest number of species live in the Amazon River basin of Brazil and the Orinoco River basin of Venezuela.
HABITAT
Most cotingas prefer lowland tropical rainforests where they live in the middle and upper levels of the forest. Some of the larger species prefer living along rivers and streams. Only a few species live in mountainous areas at higher elevations.
COTINGAS AND PEOPLE
Because of their bright, beautiful colors, cotingas have been hunted for their feathers, which are used as ornaments by native people. They may also be hunted for food. The feathers of some species are used in making fishing flies, lures for fish. The beauty of these birds draws birdwatchers and ecotourists, travel for the purpose of studying wildlife and the environment, from around the world, and may add indirectly to the local tourist economy.
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