How to identify the Spangled Cotinga

To correctly identify the Spangled Cotinga (Carpornis cucullata), check each of these features. Birds can be tricky: habit, habitat, and call often confirm a sighting that a single photo cannot.

Size at a glance

Length

21-22 cm

Wingspan

Approximately 35-38 cm

Weight

60-75 g

Physical features to check

1. 1

   Plumage

   Overall feather coloration and pattern.

   Adult males are spectacular, with a glossy black head, back, and wings. The throat and upper breast are a brilliant, iridescent violet-blue, contrasting sharply with a bright yellow belly and undertail coverts. A distinctive feature is the 'spangled' appearance on the back and wings, caused by iridescent blue-green feather edges. Adult females are much duller, predominantly olive-green above, with a paler, yellowish-green belly and faint dusky streaking on the breast. They lack the iridescent patches of the male.

2. 2

   Beak shape

   Shape and color of the bill: a key field mark.

   Relatively short, stout, and slightly hooked, dark gray to black.

3. 3

   Eye color

   Iris color and any distinctive eye markings.

   Dark brown.

4. 4

   Leg color

   Leg and foot color.

   Dark gray to black.

5. 5

   Distinguishing features

   Standout features that separate this species.

   Male: Iridescent violet-blue throat/breast, bright yellow belly, and 'spangled' black upperparts. Female: Overall olive-green with yellowish belly, lacking bright colors. Both sexes have a somewhat stocky build and a relatively short tail.

6. 6

   Juvenile appearance

   How young birds differ from adults.

   Juveniles resemble adult females, being predominantly olive-green with a paler belly. Young males gradually acquire adult male plumage over several molts, often showing a patchy mix of female-like and male-like feathers.

7. 7

   Seasonal changes

   Plumage variation between breeding and non-breeding seasons.

   No significant seasonal plumage changes are noted beyond the gradual maturation of juvenile males into adult plumage.

8. 8

   Sexual dimorphism

   How males and females differ.

   Highly sexually dimorphic. Males are brilliantly colored with iridescent blues and yellows, while females are cryptically colored in olive-greens and yellows.

Key field marks

• Male Plumage. Look for the unmistakable combination of glossy black upperparts, iridescent violet-blue throat and upper breast, and bright yellow belly. The 'spangled' effect on the back and wings is also a key field mark.
• Female Plumage. Identify by its overall olive-green coloration, paler yellowish-green belly, and lack of bright iridescent patches. The stocky build and short tail are consistent with the species.
• Vocalization. Listen for the male's distinctive, clear, rising, and mournful whistle ('wheee-oooo'). This is often the first indication of its presence, as they can be difficult to spot visually.
• Habitat and Behavior. Search in the mid-story to canopy of humid montane Atlantic Forest. Observe its quiet, deliberate movements while foraging for fruits, often remaining still for extended periods.

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