Tag Archives: Cotingidae

Swallow-tailed and Palkachupa Cotinga

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PAS-Coti Swallow-tailed Cotinga (Phibalura flavirostris) ©WikiC

PAS-Coti Swallow-tailed Cotinga (Phibalura flavirostris)
©WikiC

While working on the latest I.O.C. Version 4.4 update (which is now complete), this bird caught my attention.

Wikipedia has this in their article about this neat bird: “The swallow-tailed cotinga (Phibalura flavirostris) is a species of passerine bird. As suggested by its common name, it has traditionally been considered a member of the cotinga family. Following the recent removal of several members from this family (now placed in Tityridae), the placement of this aberrant species is unclear. It is therefore considered incertae sedis by SACC.”

What this means that in a recent previous update, they took this bird out of the Cotinga family and placed it in an Uncertain Family holding place “Incertae Sedis” by itself. Now with this update, they put this one back in with the Cotingas, but have given it the “Phibalura” genus name. (Okay, so what is so interesting about that?)

Palkachupa Cotinga (Phibalura boliviana) ©©Benjamin-Skolnik_U

Palkachupa Cotinga (Phibalura boliviana) ©©Benjamin-Skolnik_U

Continuing Wikipedia: “Currently, it is monotypic within the genus Phibalura, but it has been suggested that the taxon boliviana should be considered a separate species, the Bolivian swallow-tailed cotinga or Palkachupa cotinga (P. boliviana). The nominate taxon (P. f. flavirostris) is found in Atlantic forest in south-eastern Brazil, eastern Paraguay and Argentina (Misiones only). The taxon boliviana, which only was rediscovered in 2000 (after 98 years without any records), is restricted to the vicinity of Apolo in Bolivia. Both populations are threatened by habitat loss.”

“Eighty percent of the Palkachupa Cotinga’s habitat has been destroyed by clearing and burning forest for firewood and pasture; unfortunately, this destruction is ongoing. Parts of the cotinga’s former range are now completely treeless. Nesting success in remaining habitat is low; predation by jays and severe weather are the biggest causes of breeding failure.” (American Bird Conservancy)

It appears that the sub-species of the Swallow-tailed, the now added Palkachupa disappeared from sight for over 98 years. I find that amazing, but considering where it lives, is understandable. That brings to mind some promises from these bird’s Creator.

1) He promised to provide for them. The Lord takes care of many things without man’s help.

Also, to every beast of the earth, to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, in which there is life, I have given every green herb for food”; and it was so. (Genesis 1:30 NKJV)

And I will send grass in your fields for your livestock, that you may eat and be filled.’ (Deuteronomy 11:15 NKJV)

They give drink to every beast of the field; The wild donkeys quench their thirst. By them the birds of the heavens have their home; They sing among the branches. He waters the hills from His upper chambers; The earth is satisfied with the fruit of Your works. (Psalms 104:11-13 NKJV)

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Hebrews 13:8 NKJV)

2) We can learn from them – to trust their Creator who knows exactly where they are. We or the bird may be out of sight of man, but never from God. The Bible says the Lord will never leave us.

Who teaches us more than the beasts of the earth, And makes us wiser than the birds of heaven?’ (Job 35:11 NKJV)

Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. (Hebrews 13:5 KJV)

“You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created.”(Revelation 4:11 NKJV)

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Articles about the Swallow-tailed

Birds of the World

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The Pompadour Cotinga – Concealed Incubators…

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Pompadour Cotinga (Xipholena punicea) ©© Miami_Metrozoo male

Pompadour Cotinga (Xipholena punicea) ©© Miami_Metrozoo male

The Pompadour Cotinga – Concealed incubators… ~ by a j mithra

The Pompadour Cotingas are South American birds from the Cotingidae family. They are found in Brazil, Columbia, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela.

They reside in elevations to 1300 m which occur throughout Amazonia. The primary range extends from Columbia eastward to French Guiana and south to north-west Brazil. It is found in the canopy of humid forest and seems to be more numerous in areas of sandy soil forest.

 

Pompadour Cotinga (Xipholena punicea) ©©beautifulcataya Flickr

Pompadour Cotinga (Xipholena punicea) ©©beautifulcataya Flickr

Sand is used most often as a symbol of countless multitudes; especially of the children of Israel and of God’s thoughts on us and also of the wisdom and understanding that God gave King Solomon..

  • Is that the reason why these beautiful birds are more numerous in areas of sandy soil forest?
  • They know that Their creator is so mindful of them…

How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee. (Psalm 139:17, 18)

During breeding season males gather to perform a ritualized flight display to attract a female. Two or three males will chase each other around a group of tree tops, keeping above the trees so that their white wings flashing against the dark foliage are visible for a great distance. The males are relatively easy to see even at a distance with their white wings flashing as they fly from tree to tree. Females sometimes join mixed canopy flocks but males appear to be more solitary…

 

Pompadour Cotinga (Xipholena punicea) female by AGrosset

Pompadour Cotinga (Xipholena punicea) female by AGrosset

It is not uncommon for the clutch to contain a single egg. The eggs are a greenish gray with drab spotting. Frail open nests of curly wood tendrils completely conceal the female while she incubates. Little is known about their breeding habits because it occurs high up in the forest canopy.

  • God closed the door of the Ark and concealed Noah his family and the wildlife as well..
  • God’s plan in our lives are planned high above in the heavens where no one can see..
  • His ways are not our ways and our ways are not His..

Please read through Isaiah 39 and you will learn how King Hezekiah brought curse over his family when he showed off all his treasure to the envoys of Babylon so as to win favour from them..

  • Do not show off God’s blessings over your life to the others to win favour but just conceal yourself like these birds..
  • God has concealed us in His palm so wait until He shows us off to the world..

Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: (I Peter 5:6)

The bride, the Church, needs to completely conceal itself while it incubates God’s will…

But you, when you pray, enter into your closet, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father which is in secret; and your Father which sees in secret shall reward you openly. (Mathew 6:6)

A considerable number of these birds are remarkable for the extraordinarily abnormal form of some of their wing-quills, and occasionally of their wing-coverts – a feature in the former case observable also among the Pipridae, and, where existing, generally confined to the male bird.

 

Pompadour Cotinga (Xipholena punicea) ©©holyknight33 Flickr

Pompadour Cotinga (Xipholena punicea) ©©holyknight33 Flickr

Many of them also are brilliantly coloured, and at least one, today known as the Pompadour Cotinga (Xipholena punicea) but known as the Pompadour Chatterer in the 19th Century (and had a latin name of Xipholena pompadora at that time) was given its 19th Century name by Edwards (Gleanings, ii. p. 275, pl. 341) after the celebrated Madame de Pompadour, to whom these birds and other birds were sent, when the ship that bore them from Cayenne fell a prize to a British cruiser.

The Pompadour Cotinga is of a hue scarcely to be seen in any other bird. The coloration of the Cotingas is from true pigmentation, not the more common prismatic feather structure. The males are a glistening wine red color with white flight feathers narrowly tipped in black. The elongated and stiff greater wing coverts are wine red with white shafts partly covering the flight feathers. The females are mainly gray and paler below. The throat and belly are grayish white, with the wings and tail dusky. Greater wing coverts and inner flight feathers are broadly edged in white. The juveniles are like the female but with dark eyes.

With glistening wine red color with white flight feathers, reminds us of the wine soaked garment of our Lord isn’t it?

My beloved is white and ruddy, the chiefest among ten thousand. (Song of Solomon 5:10)

  • About 2000 years back He came to redeem us and was battered and bruised made it look like His garment was soaked in wine…
  • This time around He is going to come again to turn His garment into red..
  • Not with His blood though…

Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save.
Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the winefat?
I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment
For the day of vengeance is in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come. (Isaiah 63:1-4)

Are we ready to meet the King?

Have a blessed day!

Your’s in YESHUA,
a j mithra

Please visit us at:
Crosstree

ajmithra21

Andean Cock-of-the-rock – The Changer…

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Andean Cock-of-the-rock (Rupicola peruvianus) by SanDiegoZoo

Andean Cock-of-the-rock (Rupicola peruvianus) by SanDiegoZoo

The Andean Cock-of-the-rock – The Changer… ~ by a j mithra

The Andean Cock-of-the-rock is a medium sized bird, living in the Andes, from Venezuela South to Bolivia. It’s one of the most spectacular birds, with strikingly bright colours. Spotting this beautiful bird is not very common, though, as they’re extremely shy and don’t usually fly near humans.

Males displaying by ibirdcollection

Mature males spend much of their time in leks, which are communal courtship sites, where many males gather and practice their “mating dance”. This ritual consists of challenging a rival male for displaying their force, by flapping wings, jumping, running around, nodding and giving off a variety of squawking and grunting calls. When females visit the lek, these “mating dances” become even more intense, more loud and often turn into a display of bright colours and loud, strange sounds. After this, the female chooses the most impressive male to mate with. It is also notable, that due to defecation of seeds by the males, leks are often rich in vegetation.

Andean Cock-of-the-rock (Rupicola peruvianus) female by SanDiegoZoo

Andean Cock-of-the-rock (Rupicola peruvianus) female by SanDiegoZoo

While the females incubate the Andean Cock-of-the-rock males have gone back to the lek, in search of another female partner. Most of the males’ life revolves around activities in the lek, challenging rivals, practicing their “mating dances” and attracting females, while most of the females’ life concentrates upon nesting and incubating the eggs.

God expects the Church, His the bride, to just concentrate on expanding His kingdom..

His reason for choosing us is not to just warm the church benches, but, to go in search of His lost sheep…

But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. (Matthew 10:6)

The Cock-of-the Rock is one of the world’s most spectacular birds. It’s fantastic plumage and colorful courtship display equal those of any bird of paradise. It is the national bird of Peru for it’s beautiful plumage, resembling a bird from the paradise. Being one of the most beautiful birds, the Andean Cock-of-the-rock is one of the nature’s wonders.

The Andean Cock-of-the-Rock is distributed in the Andes from Venezuela south to Bolivia, while the Guianan Cock-of-the Rock is found in the more ancient, and highly eroded mountains that lie east of the Andes and north of the Amazon River….

When Moses came down from Mount Sinai after forty days, His face shone radiantly…

These beautiful birds are found in highly eroded mountains…  Is that the reason they look so beautiful?

When we dwell on THE ROCK, we sure would turn beautiful like Him… Remember that He had created us in His image…

Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. (Isaiah 60:1)

When the Cock-of-the-Rock eats fruit, it swallows many of the seeds whole and most of these are not damaged when they pass through its digestive system. Thus, many seeds remain capable of germinating when the Cock-of-the-Rock defecates or regurgitates them at considerable distances from the parent trees. In this way, the Cock-of-the-Rock plays an important role in dispersing seeds of many different species of forest trees. When the Cock-of-the-Rock eats fruit, it swallows many of the seeds whole and most of these are not damaged when they pass through its digestive system.

Since the adult male Cock-of-the-Rock concentrates his time and activities around the lek, and the adult female concentrates her time and activities around cliff nest sites where several females may build nests in close proximity to each other, seeds are deposited more frequently at leks and at nest sites. Once, seeds of 21 species of plants under the perches of males. All were believed to have been defecated or regurgitated by the males.

Likewise, collected droppings under a nest of the Guianan Cock-of-the-Rock in French Guiana, was found to have the seeds of 52 plant species. In an earlier study, collected droppings under 7 nests of the Andean Cock-of-the-Rock at a site west of Cali, Colombia, had the seeds of at least 35 plant species.

Andean Cock-of-the-rock (Rupicola peruvianus) by Wiki

Andean Cock-of-the-rock (Rupicola peruvianus) by Wiki

When high densities of seeds are deposited in this way at Cock-of-the-Rock leks or nest sites,and when  environmental conditions are favorable for their germination and growth, the abundance and diversity of plant species growing from these seeds can be greatly increased at leks and nests, making the plant communities at these sites different from that of the surrounding forest.

The lek was located on the ridge of a steep granite hill, and its vegetation differed markedly from that of the surrounding forest and nearby ridge tops. While most of the flora at these other sites was fairly homogeneous, the vegetation at the Cock-of-the-Rock lek was a mosaic of plant species typical of many different communities. After analyzing the lek vegetation more thoroughly, researchers concluded that the greater part of it resulted from long-term seed dispersal by Cock-of-the-Rock males.

If the feeding habit of these birds can change the whole environment, our feeding habit on the word of God should have changed everyone around us…

If these birds can change a steep granite hill in to a mosaic of plant species typical of many different communities, so can we with a little help from God change, all stony hearts in to a garden of the Lilly of the valley and the Rose of Sharon…

It all depends on how many seeds we sow and how long we sow without looking at how many had sprouted…

Our job is to just sow and water…

So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. (1 Corinthians 3:7)

Have a blessed day!

Your’s in YESHUA,
a j mithra

Please visit us at: Crosstree

Lee’s Addition:

Andean Cock-of-the-Rock has a close cousin in the Guianan Cock-of-the-rock. They are both in the Cotingidae – Cotinga Family which is part of the Passeriformes Order. The Cotingidae not only has those 2 birds, but 62 others including the Cotingas, Plantcutters, Berryeaters and Fruiteaters, Bellbirds, Pihas, Fruitcrows, a Capuchinbird and 3 Umbrellabirds.

Three-wattled Bellbird – The Noise Maker

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Three-wattled Bellbird – The Noise Maker  by a j mithra

Three-wattled Bellbird (Procnias tricarunculata) Immature male by Kent Nickell

Three-wattled Bellbird (Procnias tricarunculata) Immature male by Kent Nickell

The Three-wattled Bellbird lives between eastern Honduras and western Panama. In Costa Rica it lives on both slopes of the country..

It breeds in the cloud forests and in the foothill and highland moist forest at 1,200-2,100 m, and occasionally down to 750 m. In the non-breeding season, birds undertake complex migrations ranging up to 3,000 m (in Costa Rica), and then descending to the foothills and lowlands on both the Pacific and Caribbean slopes…

There is protection, anointing and guidance under the Pillar of the Cloud…
These birds seem to know the secret of living a protected life under the clouds..

The Bible says that we are the temple of the Living God, but, can we say that, we dwell under the Pillar of the Cloud?

During the days of Moses, the Pillar of the Cloud hovered above the tabernacle, from where Moses took orders from the Lord…
From where do we take orders? Man or God?

And it came to pass, as Moses entered into the tabernacle, the cloudy pillar descended, and stood at the door of the tabernacle, and the LORD talked with Moses. (Exodus 33:9)

Maybe that is the reason that, we are not able to hear the voice of the Lord…

Three-wattled Bellbird © Pete Morris

Three-wattled Bellbird © Pete Morris

The Three-Wattled Bellbird swallows the fruits of trees, particularly those in the Lauraceae family, of which the avocado is a member. Avocados, known as Butter-fruit in India, have the highest protein content of any fruit. Avocados contain more potassium than bananas. One avocado contains 81 mcg of lutein, an important nutrient for healthy eyes. Leaf and seed extracts have been used for a variety of medical application, including treatment of diarrhea and dysentery and as an antibiotic.

What kind of food do we eat?
These birds not only eat healthy food, but they eat medicinal food too..
People spend more money on medicine rather than on food..

Why?

Is it because, now a days, people don’t eat to live, but they live to eat..

And put a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite. (Proverbs 23:2)

At close range, the vocalization of many in Costa Rica is heard as a complex three-part song, is thought to be among the loudest bird calls on Earth, audible to humans from over 0.5 mi (0.80 km) away. The song is different in Nicaragua and in also Panama, and these songs also include an extremely loud, but less bell-like, note.

Based on limited spectral analysis, researchers believe that the Bell-bird makes its unusual anvil-like sound by singing up to three notes simultaneously. This is a trick which takes the young birds a while to perfect. This one seems to be producing pitches of roughly 1280, 1365, and 1450 Hz, approximately E6, F6, and F-sharp6 in the musical scale. These three notes, each a semi-tone apart, produce a very rough, dissonant “bonk” giving the bird its name.

A link to the Three-wattled Bellbird. A male is displaying and you can hear his call, by Max Roth.

http://ibc.lynxeds.com/video/three-wattled-bellbird-procnias-tricarunculatus/male-displaying-treetop-perch

The three-wattled bellbird, which inhabits the cloud forests, is rarely seen in the mist-shrouded treetops, though the male’s eerie call, described as a “ventriloqual bonk!’ haunts the rainforest… as long as the sun is shining.

The purpose for which God created us is to worship and worship alone…
But, are we worshipping the Lord at all times or just in a Sunday morning service?

These Birds may not have a song but still their BONK saves them from predators…

You may not have a good voice but still your noise can frighten the devil..
You know? God loves your NOISE and not your VOICE…

These birds sing as long as the sun is shining..

We, the church too can sing only as long as the Sun of Righteousness shines on us..
Darkness is fast descending, let us keep singing , for the hour of the Lord has come..
If we don’t sing here, how can we sing in heaven?
After all, only practice makes us perfect…

The dead praise not the LORD, neither any that go down into silence. (Psalm 115:17)

Have a blessed day!

Your’s in YESHUA,
a j mithra

Please visit us at:  Crosstree

Lee’s Addition:

The four Bellbirds are in the Cotingidae Family of the Passerifromes Order. The Cotinga family has Bellbirds (4), Cotingas (25), Plantcutter (3), Berryeater (2), Fruiteater (12), Cock-of-the-rock (2), Phia (9), Fruitcrow (4), Capuchinbird (1), and Umbrellabird (3). They all seem to have interesting names.