Creature Feature Encyclopedia: Aves

Cock-of-the-Rock Rupicola peruviana

The pigeon-sized cock-of-the-rock is found only in northern sections of the South American rainforests. Although unrelated to the chicken, he is called a cock because of the male's rooster-like appearance. The "rock" part of the name was contributed by the female. She only nests on large boulders within undisturbed rainforest. Because of such odd nesting habits, these bright birds are very rare.

~A Walk in the Rainforest © 1992