National Bird of Peru – How to Spot It in the Wild
Peru’s national bird, the Andean cock-of-the-rock (Rupicola peruvianus), can be seen in the wild in several different regions around the country. It has earned its nickname, the ballerina of the forest, due to its large and colorful crest which it uses to attract mates during mating season. The Peruvian government has officially declared it a vulnerable species because of habitat loss and degradation, which means that you should take great care when approaching or spotting one!
What Is The National Bird of Peru?
The national bird of Peru is the gallito de las rocas, or cock-of-the-rock. These beautiful birds are found in the highlands of Peru, and are known for their striking plumage. If you’re lucky enough to spot one in the wild, you’ll definitely know it! Here’s what to look for
Where Can You See The Official Bird of Peru?
The national bird of Peru is the gallito de las rocas, or Andean cock-of-the-rock. The gallito de las rocas is a member of the cotinga family and is known for its striking orange plumage. These birds are found in the tropical forests of South America, and they are most active during the day. If you’re lucky enough to spot one in the wild, you’ll likely see it near a river or stream, as they enjoy bathing and drinking water.
This bird can be seen in peru, in the following regions:
Abiseo river, in San Martin
Yanachaga – Chemillén, in Pasco
Tingo María, in Huánuco
Manu, in Cusco – Madre de Dios.
The Manu National Park where you can find this bird is located on the eastern slopes of the Cordillera Vilcabamba mountain range, covering an area more than 1 million acres (400,000 hectares).
FemaleDifference between a male and female:
The head, neck, breast, and shoulders of the male Andean cock-of-the-rock are a vivid reddish-orange color. It has a black body, gray wings, and a thick feather crest that covers its bill and is fashioned like a disk. The female has a smaller crest and is an overall brownish-orange color.
The lengthy tail feathers and wings of both sexes are black with a row of gray feathers running along the inside edge. The gray feathers along its back resemble a stripe when it isn’t flying.
What is it like to see this beautiful creature in its natural habitat?
There’s nothing quite like seeing the national bird of Peru in its natural habitat. The colors are amazing, and it’s just so majestic. Plus, it’s really interesting to see how it interacts with its environment. If you’re lucky enough to spot one, you’re sure to have a truly unforgettable experience.
Gallito de las rocas
It is common to see this bird in the Manu Natural Reserve in Madre de Dios . The majestic red bird is the national bird of Peru and can be spotted at many locations throughout Peru. These birds live in rainforests, mostly between 500 and 2000 meters above sea level. They are very intelligent and feed on a variety of fruits, nuts, seeds, blossoms and sap. Cock of the rock were hunted for their beautiful feathers, but now hunting is prohibited. If you see one in the wild then take a picture or video because it’s rare to spot one.
Conclusion
Although quite elusive, this Andean bird might be easier to observe during the breeding season. Please let us know if you would like to look for them while we visit the cloud forest on our route to Machu Picchu; we would be happy to organize this incredible journey for you. For additional information and to make bookings for Machu Picchu, get in touch with our travel agents right away.
