Cock-of-the-rock

= Cock of the Rock = The Andean Cock-of-the-rock, also referred to as Tunki, is the national bird of Peru. It is a medium sized bird with an orange body and black wings. These birds are commonly known for their sexual dimorphism. Males tend to be much brighter and have a large disk like bump protruding from their faces while females tend to be a little duller in color. The males use their bright color and disk to attract a mate during their breeding seasons. Its species name, Rupicola //peruvianus,// is derived from Latin; Rupes referring to rocks or cliffs and cola meaning inhabiting. This is due to the fact the species tends to build its nests inside cliffs or rock walls. The name Tunki comes from the original Peruvian language of Quechua. The bird lives across South America in what is known as cloud forests, which stretch throughout the Andes Mountains in Venezuela, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, and Bolivia. These forests are called cloud forests due to their high humidity, fog and clouds at canopy level. The Cock-of-the-rock often inhabits areas of rocky forests along streams or ravines. During mating season, males will stunt their bright plumage and large disk-like crest in order to attract a mate. The features are complimented by a series of dances involving hopping, bobbing, and noises. Males will even compete with other males in a sort of dance off flapping their wings and snapping their beaks at one another. Once a they have a female’s attention the two battle in out in an array of colors in and dance motions. Eventually the mate is chosen and the loser is required to find another mate. Like most animals, these male birds will mate with several females in order to pass on their genetic code. The female is left to care for her chicks after about 30 days of incubation. Typical Cock-of-the-rock diet involves an assortment of fruits, insects, and even some reptiles have been recorded. Unfortunately for the Tunki, its bright color attracts many predators as well. The show that the males puts on lures the attention of predators such as harpy eagles, large cats like jaguars or ocelots, and even snakes.Thankfully, the bird is not thought to be threaten or endangered according to any available data. The bird can be seen as a house pet like parakeets and parrots in some areas of the world.

By: Bobby Cortesi