Black-chested Fruiteater

Overview

The black-chested fruiteater (Pipreola lubomirskii) is a medium-sized bird in the family Cotingidae, native to the Andean region of South America. It is classified as a species of 'least concern' by the IUCN, despite having a somewhat restricted and uncommon distribution.

Identification

• Medium-sized fruiteater measuring 18 cm in length, featuring a stocky body, short tail, and short legs.
• Males possess a black head, throat, and upper breast with bright green upperparts and yellowish-green, mottled underparts; females lack the black head and display a bright green back, throat, and chest with yellow and green streaked underparts.
• Both sexes have yellow irises, pinkish-orange bills, and greenish-grey legs.
• Song consists of a faint, high-pitched ascending whistle described as 'tseeeeeeweee', accompanied by short, rising and falling whistling calls.

Habitat

Found in subtropical and tropical moist montane forests, this species inhabits the eastern side of the Andes from southern Colombia through Ecuador to northern Peru between 1,500 and 2,300 m in elevation. Isolated populations also occur on the western side of the Andes in Cajamarca and the south of Marañón Province.

Did you know?

This species can be easily confused with the green-and-black fruiteater, but is distinguished by the absence of pale barring on the tertial wing feathers and the lack of a yellow border around the male's black chest.