Umbrellabird

Overview

The umbrellabird is a striking rainforest bird named for the umbrella-like crest of feathers that arches forward over its head, along with a long, inflatable wattle of feathered skin hanging from its throat. Males use both features in elaborate courtship displays, along with deep, booming calls that can carry through dense forest.

Appearance

It has entirely glossy black plumage, a tall, forward-curving crest of feathers on top of its head resembling an umbrella, and, in males, a long feathered wattle hanging from the throat that can be inflated during display. Females are notably smaller and have a shorter crest and wattle than males.

Habitat & Distribution

The umbrellabird is found in rainforest habitats.

Diet & Behavior

Diet: Omnivore — Animals with flexible diets that eat both plants and animals, adapting to whatever food is available in their environment.

Male umbrellabirds gather at traditional display sites called leks, where they compete for female attention by inflating their throat wattle, raising their crest, and producing loud, low-frequency booming calls. Outside the breeding season, umbrellabirds forage largely alone through the rainforest canopy and understory, feeding mainly on fruit supplemented by insects and small animals.

Interesting Facts

• 1

  A male umbrellabird's throat wattle can be inflated during courtship display, making it appear considerably larger.

• 2

  Its umbrella-shaped head crest gives the species its name, arching forward to nearly cover its bill.

• 3

  Males gather at traditional display sites called leks to compete for the attention of females.

• 4

  Its deep, booming call is produced partly using the inflated throat wattle as a resonating chamber.

• 5

  It's considered Vulnerable due to deforestation across its already limited range in western Ecuador and Colombia.

Gallery

Umbrellabird FAQs