Umbrella Bird

Scientific Classification

• Kingdom: Animalia

• Phylum: Chordata

• Class: Aves

• Order: Passeriformes

• Family: Cotingidae

• Genus: Cephalopterus

There are three main species of umbrellabirds:

1. Long-wattled Umbrellabird (Cephalopterus penduliger)

2. Amazonian Umbrellabird (Cephalopterus ornatus)

3. Bare-necked Umbrellabird (Cephalopterus glabricollis)

Physical Characteristics

• Color: Mostly black or dark brown

• Crest: A large feathered crest on top of the head like an umbrella

• Throat: Some species have a feathered wattle (throat pouch) that hangs down

• Size: 35 to 50 cm (up to 20 inches)

• Weight: Up to 500–600 grams

• Call: Deep, echoing “booms”, one of the loudest bird calls in the rainforest.

Image showing a Long-wattled Umbrella Bird (Source: American Bird Conservancy)

Habitat & Distribution

Umbrellabirds live in humid tropical rainforests, often in the canopy or mid-level trees. Each species has its own range:

• Long-wattled Umbrellabird: Ecuador and Colombia (Pacific slopes)

• Amazonian Umbrellabird: Brazil, Venezuela, Peru (Amazon basin)

• Bare-necked Umbrellabird: Costa Rica and western Panama

They are found in lowland to mid-elevation forests, where they can blend in with the dark foliage.

Diet & Behavior

• Diet: Mostly fruit, but they also eat insects, small reptiles, and seeds

• Feeding style: They hop from branch to branch, plucking food from trees

• Solitary or shy, but during mating season, males gather in “leks” (small display groups)

• Males inflate their throat pouch to make booming sounds to attract females

• Nesting happens high in trees, and the female builds the nest alone

Major species of Umbrellabirds

1.  Long-wattled Umbrellabird (Cephalopterus penduliger)

• Key feature: A long, feathered wattle (up to 35 cm!) that hangs from its chest

• Color: Jet black with a velvet look

• Call: Deep, foghorn-like booming

• Location: Chocó rainforest (Ecuador and Colombia)

Image showing a Long-wattled Umbrellabird with its throat wattle fully extended (Source: Reddit)

2.  Amazonian Umbrellabird (Cephalopterus ornatus)

• Slightly smaller wattle

• Lives in dense Amazon forests

• Less is known due to how hard it is to spot in the wild

• Thought to migrate short distances for fruit

Image showing an amazonian umbrellabird perched high in a dense leafy canopy (Source: Not Your Average American)

3. Bare-necked Umbrellabird (Cephalopterus glabricollis)

• Neck and throat are bald with bright red skin

• Critically endangered due to small range in Costa Rica and Panama

• Loud booming call like other species

• Hides in tall trees and is rarely seen

Image showing a Bare-necked Umbrellabird with red throat pouch and raised crest on a mossy branch (Source: eBird)

Fun facts about Umbrellabirds

• Their throat pouch acts like a sound amplifier, their booms can be heard over 500 meters away!

• The umbrella-like crest can be raised or lowered, depending on mood or display

• They play an important role in seed dispersal by eating and passing fruit

• They are very shy, and often hide in thick rainforest canopies

• Umbrellabirds are strong flyers, but prefer to hop between branches when feeding

Threats & Conservation

Umbrellabirds are under threat due to:

• Deforestation, loss of rainforest habitat is their biggest danger

• Hunting (rare but still happens)

• Climate change

• Habitat fragmentation, which makes it hard to find mates

Conservation Status:

• Long-wattled: Vulnerable

• Bare-necked: Critically Endangered

• Amazonian: Data Deficient (not enough is known)

 Protecting the rainforest is the only way to save this strange and beautiful bird.

 Umbrellabird vs Other Tropical Birds

If you’re passionate about rainforest conservation, exotic bird rescue, or eco-tourism, reach out to us at Doctor Hulk Veterinary Hospital, or call us through 08143397614.