Scarlet-breasted fruiteater
Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Family
Genus
SPECIES
Pipreola frontalis

The scarlet-breasted fruiteater (Pipreola frontalis ) is a species of bird in the family Cotingidae.It is found in Bolivia, Ecuador, and Peru where its natural habitat is subtropical and tropical moist montane forests. Two subspecies are recognised though some researchers consider these should be regarded as distinct species. It is a plump green bird with a black head, the males having red throats and the females yellow. It is a relatively common species with a wide range, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature has rated its conservation status as being "least concern".

Appearance

Like all Pipreola fruiteaters, the scarlet-breasted fruiteater is a plump, short-tailed cotinga. It is relatively small for a fruiteater, measuring 15.5–16.5 cm (6.1–6.5 in) in length; its mass ranges from 39.5 to 45.3 g (1.39 to 1.60 oz), with an average of 42.4 g (1.50 oz). The species is sexually dimorphic; the male is considerably more colorful than the female. Both sexes have bright green upperparts, with narrow yellow tips to the tertial feathers. The male's throat and upper breast are bright red (less extensively colored in P. f. squamipectus than in P. f. frontalis ), while the female's underparts are yellow with green scaling or spots. Its legs and feet are pink or orange.

Distribution

Geography

Continents
Countries
Biogeographical realms

The scarlet-breasted fruiteater is restricted to the eastern slope of the Andes from northeastern Ecuador through eastern Peru to central Bolivia. It is found in montane forests at elevations ranging from 900–2,000 m (3,000–6,600 ft) above sea level.

Scarlet-breasted fruiteater habitat map

Biome

Scarlet-breasted fruiteater habitat map
Scarlet-breasted fruiteater
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Habits and Lifestyle

The scarlet-breasted fruiteater is arboreal and often occurs higher up, from mid-levels to sub-canopy, than many other members of its genus. Like other fruiteaters, it tends to be rather lethargic.

Lifestyle
Seasonal behavior
Bird's call

Diet and Nutrition

As its name suggests, the scarlet-breasted fruiteater eats primarily fruit, which it picks while hover-gleaning or, less frequently, while perched.

Population

Population threats

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) categorizes the Scarlet-breasted Fruiteater as a species of "least concern", based on its very large range and its status as a fairly common species within its range. However, its population size has never been quantified, and is thought to be decreasing.

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The scarlet-breasted fruiteater is known to carry several species of bird lice, including members of the genera Myrsidea and Philopterus.

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References

1. Scarlet-breasted fruiteater Wikipedia article - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scarlet-breasted_fruiteater
2. Scarlet-breasted fruiteater on The IUCN Red List site - https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/103676613/93797721
3. Xeno-canto bird call - https://xeno-canto.org/262972

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