Long-wattled umbrellabird

The Long-wattled Umbrellabird is a captivating and rare species belonging to the Cotinga family. These birds inhabit the humid and wet premontane and cloud forests of southwestern Colombia and western Ecuador. One of the most striking features of this bird is the male's large throat wattle, while females and juveniles possess much smaller, or sometimes no, wattles at all.

Their diet primarily consists of fruits, especially from specific plant families, but they also consume invertebrates and small vertebrates. During mating season, they engage in a behavior known as lekking, where males showcase their wattles to attract females. Nests are typically constructed in trees or tree ferns at moderate heights.

Unfortunately, the Long-wattled Umbrellabird faces substantial threats. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has categorized them as Vulnerable, chiefly due to habitat destruction and hunting. To protect these unique birds, conservation efforts are in motion to preserve their existing habitats and support reforestation projects.