The scaled fruiteater (''Ampelioides tschudii'') is a species of bird in the family Cotingidae. It is the only member of the

genus Genus (; : genera ) is a taxonomic rank above species and below family (taxonomy), family as used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In bino ...

Ampelioides.''IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Ampelioides tschudii''. (2016, October 1). IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22700815/110780381. This bird is found in

Bolivia Bolivia, officially the Plurinational State of Bolivia, is a landlocked country located in central South America. The country features diverse geography, including vast Amazonian plains, tropical lowlands, mountains, the Gran Chaco Province, w ...

Colombia Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia, is a country primarily located in South America with Insular region of Colombia, insular regions in North America. The Colombian mainland is bordered by the Caribbean Sea to the north, Venezuel ...

Ecuador Ecuador, officially the Republic of Ecuador, is a country in northwestern South America, bordered by Colombia on the north, Peru on the east and south, and the Pacific Ocean on the west. It also includes the Galápagos Province which contain ...

Peru Peru, officially the Republic of Peru, is a country in western South America. It is bordered in the north by Ecuador and Colombia, in the east by Brazil, in the southeast by Bolivia, in the south by Chile, and in the south and west by the Pac ...

, and

Venezuela Venezuela, officially the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, is a country on the northern coast of South America, consisting of a continental landmass and many Federal Dependencies of Venezuela, islands and islets in the Caribbean Sea. It com ...

, where its natural habitat is the high elevation tropical forests of the Andes mountains. The Scaled Fruiteater is a chunky, short-tailed, flat-headed bird measuring 19–20 cm in length. It uses its green scaled feather pattern to blend in with the dense vegetation of the South American

rainforest Rainforests are forests characterized by a closed and continuous tree Canopy (biology), canopy, moisture-dependent vegetation, the presence of epiphytes and lianas and the absence of wildfire. Rainforests can be generally classified as tropi ...

Physical characteristics

The scaled fruiteater is characterized by its olive-green

plumage Plumage () is a layer of feathers that covers a bird and the pattern, colour, and arrangement of those feathers. The pattern and colours of plumage differ between species and subspecies and may vary with age classes. Within species, there can b ...

with fine scaling on the chest and belly. The Scaled Fruiteater has a short and sharp beak, specialized for eating fruits, seeds, and insects. Males have an all-black head, display a more vibrant green color on their bodies, and have longer tails than females.

Distribution and habitat

The scaled fruiteater is found in the

montane forests Montane ecosystems are found on the slopes of mountains. The alpine climate in these regions strongly affects the ecosystem because temperatures fall as elevation increases, causing the ecosystem to stratify. This stratification is a crucial f ...

of the

Andes mountains The Andes ( ), Andes Mountains or Andean Mountain Range (; ) are the longest continental mountain range in the world, forming a continuous highland along the western edge of South America. The range is long and wide (widest between 18°S ...

. They inhabit dense rainforests where they stay below the canopy, often near streams or other water sources. This species is found at high elevations, ranging from above sea level.

Behavior and ecology

Scaled fruiteaters feed on a variety of fruits and berries that are unique to the South American mountain ranges. They supplement their diet with insects during the breeding season when protein-rich food is essential for raising young. These birds are known for their camouflage ability, utilizing their green scales to remain hidden within the dense vegetation. The Scaled Fruiteater is non-migratory and will stay in the Andes region year-round.

Reproduction

During the breeding season, males establish territories and attract female mates through vocalizations and aerial displays. The nest is a shallow cup constructed from plant fibers where Females will typically lay two eggs, which are incubated for about two weeks. Both parents participate in feeding and caring for the chicks until they develop wings large enough for flight.

Conservation status

The scaled fruiteater is considered a species of least concern by the

International Union for Conservation of Nature The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is an international organization working in the field of nature conservation and sustainable use of natural resources. Founded in 1948, IUCN has become the global authority on the stat ...

(IUCN). While the bird continues to thrive, populations may be declining due to habitat loss caused by

deforestation Deforestation or forest clearance is the removal and destruction of a forest or stand of trees from land that is then converted to non-forest use. Deforestation can involve conversion of forest land to farms, ranches, or urban use. Ab ...

and human development. Conservation efforts focus on preserving and restoring their forest habitats and raising awareness about the importance of protecting these unique birds and their ecosystems.

Cultural Significance

Scaled fruiteaters have captured the interest of birdwatchers and ecotourists, attracting visitors to the Andean regions where they are found. Their unique appearance and elusive behavior make them a sought-after sighting for bird enthusiasts. Because of their elusiveness there is a lack of research and knowledge on these birds.

References

Cotingidae Birds of the Northern Andes Birds described in 1846 Taxa named by George Robert Gray Taxonomy articles created by Polbot {{Cotingidae-stub