Fun Guianan Cock-of-the-rock Facts For Kids

There are two types of cock-of-the-rocks which include the Andean cock-of-the-rock which is Peru's national bird. The second is the Guianan cock-of-the-rock bird which is similar in appearance but smaller in size.

These birds of the world belong to the genus Rupicola which is a reference to the bird's favorite nesting region. The word 'rock' is taken from the Latin word 'rupe' meaning 'rock' and 'cola' meaning 'inhabitant'.

Guianan cock-of-the-rocks are endemic to Guyana, Venezuela, Brazil, and Colombia, and other regions in South America. The diet of cock-of-the-rocks is omnivorous and they primarily feed on fruits, however they known to feed on small snakes and lizards and other insects when they can't find any other alternative.

They have a bright orange plumage which sets them apart from other bird species and these birds are easy to identify. They are classified as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List and a must-see for every birdwatcher.

For more relatable content, check out these birds of paradise and glaucous gull facts.

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Guianan Cock-Of-The-Rock Interesting Facts

What type of animal is a Guianan cock-of-the-rock?

The Guianan cock-of-the-rock (Rupicola rupicola) is a bird that belongs to the kingdom Animalia and order Passeriformes.

What class of animal does a Guianan cock-of-the-rock belong to?

The Guianan cock-of-the-rock (Rupicola rupicola) is a bird that belongs to the class Aves, family Cotingidae, and genus Rupicola.  

How many Guianan cock-of-the-rocks are there in the world?

Guianan cock-of-the-rocks exact population in the world is Not Evaluated. Their population is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List and they can easily be found in regions they are native to.

Where does a Guianan cock-of-the-rock live?

Guinan cock-of-the-rocks are seen in lowland forests and near rocky outcrops, as the name suggests. They are seen in Guyana, Venezuela, Brazil, and Colombia, and other regions in South America.

What is a Guianan cock-of-the-rock's habitat?

A Guianan cock-of-the-rock (Rupicola rupicola)habitat range constitutes rocky areas in lowland forests. The Andean Guianan is endemic to tropical forests. These birds of the world live close to regions where they can find fruit-filled trees easily and their other sources of nutrition such as insects, frogs, and reptiles.

Who do Guianan cock-of-the-rocks live with?

Guianan cock-of-the-rocks are seen as a solitary species of birds. They are not adopted by people and are best observed in their natural habitat and in the wild.

How long does a Guianan cock-of-the-rock live?

The Guianan cock-of-the-rock's (Rupicola rupicola) exact lifespan is not recorded. A cock-of-the-rock is estimated to live up to seven years. Currently, the record for the oldest cock-of-the-rock is held by 17 years.

How do they reproduce?

The Guianan cock-of-the-rock (Rupicola rupicola) is a polygamous species. During breeding season, males and females communicate via various courtship calls. A male mates with multiple female birds within their breeding range. Females lay eggs in their nests which they build near male leks.

They build nests using plant matter, clay, and mud. They build nests near water bodies. Females raise chicks solely by themselves. Females lay two eggs and there is an incubation period of 27-28 days.

What is their conservation status?

The Guianan cock-of-the-rock is classified as a Least Concern species by the International Union For Conservation Of Nature (IUCN).

Guianan Cock-Of-The-Rock Fun Facts

What do Guianan cock-of-the-rocks look like?

The Guianan cock-of-the-rock is similar to the Andean cock-of-the-rock. The cock-of-the-rock is bright orange in plumage. They have a half-moon crest on their head which is lined by a brown color.

Their crest stands upright and covers their bill. Their bill is hidden behind their crest. The bill is black but has a yellow tip.

They have a black color on their tails and black and white wing bars. Females are dull-colored as compared to male Guianan birds and their crest is smaller as compared to males. Their overall orange plumage is extremely bright and instantly attracts the eye.

Females lack an orange plumage. They have black eyes with white surrounding it and a yellow eye-ring. They have pointed clawed feet which they use to move from one place to another.

How cute are they?

Both the Guianan cock-of-the-rock is similar to the Andean cock-of-the-rock in appearance and equally cute and adorable to look at with their orange plumage. They have loud voices which can be heard from a distance. They are either static or usually seen in their dancing display when observed in the wild.

How do they communicate?

They have a relatively loud noise which makes them an easy target for predators. They communicate similarly to the Andean cock-of-the-rock but differ slightly which has a raucous noise.

Guianan cock-of-the-rock birds communicate using a popping noise which they create by snapping their bills. They also communicate using calls that are loud and harsh and used while competing with other male species and when foraging for food.

How big is a Guianan cock-of-the-rock?

A Guianan cock-of-the-rock is 12 in (30 cm) in length which is 20 times bigger than the bee hummingbird, the smallest bird in the world which is 2.4 in (6.1 cm) tall.

How fast can a Guianan cock-of-the-rock fly?

The cock-of-the-rock's exact flying speed is not evaluated but both males and females are known to fall prey to predators including the harpy eagle, falcon, and hawk easily owing to their bright orange color. These birds tend to hide, making it difficult to spot them. The orange is extremely bright in color.

How much does a Guianan cock-of-the-rock weigh?

A Guianan cock-of-the-rock weighs 7-7.5 lb (198-213 g). Female birds tend to weigh relatively less compared to male birds.

What are the male and female names of the species?

Males and females are not addressed differently. Females and males differ in appearance. Males are more colorful and attractive in plumage compared to females who are largely brown in color. This is primarily due to sexual dimorphism.

Males and females also differ in reproductive functions. Males and females of other bird and animal species too have sexual dimorphism, such as peacocks. A female  cock-of-the rock also has a smaller crest compared to males.

What would you call a baby Guianan cock-of-the-rock?

The female Guianan cock-of-the-rock lays two eggs per clutch. The nestlings are born dark in appearance but develop feathers over time. The female is involved in raising the young but the male is rarely involved. A male Guianan cock-of-the-rock may mate with multiple female cock-of-the-rocks.  

What do they eat?

The Guianan cock-of-the-rock has an omnivorous diet. They consume fruits predominantly but also consume large insects, frogs, and small reptiles. They have an orange cover which makes them an easy target for predators.

Are they dangerous?

No, these birds are not dangerous. When attacked, their instant response is to flee from the location. They are wild birds and if you do spot them in their natural habitat, it's best to maintain a safe distance from them.

Would they make a good pet?

No, these birds are innately wild birds and cannot be kept as pets. If you wish to see them, you can visit zoos, conservation centers, or other similar regions to which the species are endemic. The cock-of-the-rock is the national bird of Peru.

Did you know...

There are about 10,000 species of birds worldwide. This includes flying as well as non-flying species of birds.

The ostrich is the heaviest bird and the largest while the bee hummingbird is the smallest bird in the world.

Female cock-of-the-rocks reuse their nest each year and just modify the existing nest based on the need. Only once their nest is ready do these birds mate with another mate.

What is special about the Guianan cock-of-the-rock?

They look like phoenixes dipped in ash with brilliant orange heads, wings, and tails. It epitomizes the biodiversity of south American regions including Guyana, Venezuela, Brazil, and Colombia. The Andean cock-of-the-rock is the national bird of Peru. They are known for their orange plumage although females are duller in appearance primarily due to sexual dimorphism.

What is the Guianan cock-of-the-rock's range?

The Guianan cock-of-the-rock range constitutes rocky areas in lowland forests. They are seen in countries including French Guiana, Guyana, Venezuela, Brazil, and Colombia.  They prefer habitats with rocky terrains or lowland forests. Their range is 100, 386 sq mi (260,000 sq km).

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other birds from our toco toucan facts and Amazon parrot facts pages.

You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable guianan cock-of-the-rock coloring pages.