The green-and-black fruiteater “Pipreola riefferii” is a species of bird in the family Cotingidae.
The green-and-black fruiteater has broad bills, hooked tips, rounded wings, and strong legs. The green & black fruiteater can be found in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela. The bird species is native to the lower and mid-level mountain forests on the eastern side of the Andes in South America. Its range extends from southern Venezuela to northern Peru, and its altitudinal range is between 1,500 and 2,700 m above sea level.
It is often seen in smaller flocks than some other fruit eaters. These birds mostly eat fruit or insects. They usually construct cup-shaped nests, while males will mate with several females. Hence, the females alone care for the eggs, as do the young ones. The green-and-black fruiteater is a plump, stocky bird with a length of about 18 cm. The adult male bird has a black head, throat, and chest glossed with green and mid-green upper parts, with pale tips to the tertial feathers of the wings. There is a yellow rim to the dark chest, and the underparts are otherwise yellowish, typically mottled or streaked with green.
However, the female bird is alike to the male, apart from the replacement of the black areas with green, and the absence of the yellow necklace. In both sexes, the iris of the eye is reddish-brown, and the legs and bill are orangish-red. The bird song is a high-pitched “ts-s-s-s-s-s-s” lasting only a few seconds, slowing and sometimes fading as it winds down.
However, although somewhat rare, the Green-and-black fruiteater has a very wide range. The bird’s range and population size of this species are not classified as vulnerable. The bird population size has not been quantified but seems stable and the International Union for Conservation of Nature has assessed the conservation status of the bird as being of “least concern”. If you are a bird enthusiast, you should see this magnificent creature.
Also, Read! Tunki! A Large Passerine Bird of South America
