White Bellbird

Overview

The white bellbird, Procnias albus, is a species of cotinga found across parts of South America. It is notable for being dramatically sexually dimorphic and for producing the world's loudest bird calls.

Identification

• Males have entirely white plumage and a distinctive single black wattle with white feathers draping from the base of the maxilla.
• Females resemble female bearded bellbirds, featuring an olive-green head and upperparts, and yellow underparts with olive streaks.
• Both sexes possess a short bill that opens very wide, a blackish iris, and a black bill with pale cutting edges.
• Vocalisations include a loud 'kong-kay' similar to two sharp blows on a cracked bell, and a more musical, droning 'duaaaaaaaaa...deeeeeee'.

Habitat

The species inhabits humid forest environments, predominantly in lowlands but also on the slopes of tepuis in Venezuela. Its range extends from eastern Venezuela across the Guianas to northern Brazil, with a disjunct population on Cerro de la Neblina in the far south of Venezuela.

Diet

The white bellbird apparently feeds exclusively on fruit. It forages by plucking fruit either while perched or during a sally from a perch, swallowing it whole and regurgitating the seeds.

Did you know?

The white bellbird is believed to be the world's loudest bird, with calls reaching up to 125 dB(A), surpassing the previous record held by the screaming piha at 116 dB.