Bearded Bellbird

The Bearded Bellbird is a large, striking cotinga of northern South America, best known for the male's odd combination of a rich chestnut-brown head and neck, a mostly white body, and a remarkable "beard" of long, fleshy black wattles that hang loosely from the throat and gape, swaying as the bird calls. Females are far plainer, olive-green above with yellow-streaked underparts, lacking any of the male's ornamentation.

The species is more often heard than seen, as males perch high and prominently in the canopy to deliver one of the loudest and most far-carrying calls of any bird in the Neotropics, a sound frequently likened to a ringing bell or a blacksmith's hammer striking metal.

Key field marks

• Males: chestnut-brown head and neck, white body, and long dangling black throat wattles
• Females: olive-green above, yellow-streaked underparts, no wattles
• Stocky cotinga build with a relatively short tail
• Extremely loud, bell-like or metallic call, often the first sign of its presence

Similar species

• Three-wattled Bellbird has three separate wattles hanging from the base of the bill rather than a single beard-like curtain, and occurs in Central America rather than northern South America.
• White Bellbird is entirely white with a single thin wattle from the forehead, found in the Amazon basin and the Guianas.

Habitat

Inhabits the canopy of humid lowland and foothill forest.

Range

Found in northern South America, including Venezuela, the Guianas, Trinidad, and northern Brazil.

Migration

Generally resident, though some local movements may occur in response to fruit availability.

Behavior

Males spend long periods perched prominently and motionlessly in the canopy, calling repeatedly to attract females and advertise territory; the species is otherwise fairly sedentary and easily overlooked when not calling.

Voice

An extremely loud, far-carrying, bell-like or metallic "bonk" or "tock" call, among the loudest sounds produced by any bird, audible from great distances through the forest.

Feeding

Feeds almost entirely on fruit, particularly favoring certain canopy fruiting trees, and plays an important role in seed dispersal.

Nesting

Males do not assist with nesting; females build a simple, flimsy platform nest and raise the young alone, typically laying a single egg.