Three-wattled Bellbird

Overview

The three-wattled bellbird (Procnias tricarunculatus) is a Central American migratory cotinga that is Procnias tricarunculatus.

Identification

• Male plumage is chestnut brown with a white head and throat, and features three long, black, worm-like wattles hanging from the base of the bill.
• Females are smaller, overall olive with yellowish streaking below and a pure yellow vent, lacking the distinctive wattles.
• The species is between 25 and 30 cm in length, with males having a black bill and a black eye-ring and eye-stripe.
• Males produce a loud, hollow, wooden "bonk" call, often described as bell-like or resembling microphone feedback.

Habitat

This species breeds in the cloud forests of the Costa Rican highlands and migrates to the mangroves of lower elevations. Its range extends from western Honduras south to eastern Panama.

Diet

The bellbird is completely frugivorous, swallowing whole fruits from trees in the Lauraceae family, such as avocado. It plays a vital role in seed dispersal by regurgitating indigestible seeds in gap areas beneath its song perches.

Did you know?

The male's courtship involves sneaking up behind a female on a high branch and opening its mouth 180 degrees to produce a loud "bonk" sound that knocks her off the perch.