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Swallow-tailed Cotinga Phibalura flavirostris

The monotypic genus Phibalura is largely con­ edly longer than the wing. Although mistletoe ber­ fined to a small corner of south-eastern South ries are the main food source, the long swallow-like America: the Swallow-tailed Cotinga has an exten­ tail allows added manoeuvrability in flight and it sive range in coastal areas of Brazil, from Minas is the only cotingid genus other than Iodopleura Gerais south to Rio Grande do Sul. Inland, records (purpletufts) that regularly hawks flying insects are from Goiás in Brazil south to eastern Para­ (short sallies are recorded in the feeding behav­ guay (west to Guairá) and north-eastern Argentina iour of Ampelion)1. (Misiones)1,4,5. The nest is inconspicuous and cup-shaped, A small population on the east slope of the slightly flattened and mostly of lichens placed Bolivian Andes in La Paz (previously known on horizontal branches up to 18 m above ground. from two 1926 specimens and a third without This structure is intermediate between the two locality details5 but recently rediscovered in the groups of , loosely termed as “lowland” and Bolivian Andes, M. Pearman pers. comm.1), ini­ “montane” by Snow5. The former group, principally tially appears surprising. However, Phibalura found in tropical zones where predators are fre­ (along with Laniisoma) is thought to be one of quent, build flimsy, saucer-shaped nests supported several cotingid genera whose origins lie in the geo­ by small twigs. The inconspicuousness is enhanced logically older Brazilian highlands, which by the nest being attended solely by the female. In subsequently dispersed across the extensive low­ cooler montane zones a more “conventional” cup­ land gap to colonise the younger Andes. shaped construction, of lichens and mosses is Swallow-tailed Cotingas are migratory, utilised. It is believed that the need for inconspicu­ breeding in the mountains and descending to ousness is reduced because of the fewer predators lower elevations in the winter. Some records from at higher elevations2,5. the extremities of its range (e.g. Goiás, Brazil) In common with montane cotingid genera such may reflect such movements. In Rio Grande do as Pipreola and Ampelion, Phibalura lays 2–3 eggs Sul, all records fall between September and and both parents attend the nest and feed the March, indicating that the species undertakes young. Most observations suggest a conventional an austral migration4,5. Such displacement is breeding cycle is employed. However, evidence ex­ shared with one other cotingid — White-tipped ists (although scant and incomplete) that male and Plantcutter Phytotoma rutila — a genus only re­ female Swallow-tailed Cotingas may attend sepa­ cently placed within the Cotinginae3,4. Similarly rate nests, once the female has laid a clutch in each. the Bolivian records may constitute migrant This phenomenon is unknown in . stragglers from the main range to the east. Swal­ A perched Swallow-tailed Cotinga is totally dis­ low-tailed Cotingas occur principally below tinctive: Black-headed Berryeater Carpornis 1400 m; the Andean records are thought to derive melanocephalus (in eastern Brazil), and Pipreola from a locality at c. 2000 m, though no altitude fruiteaters (in the Andes) are the only confusion was recorded for the specimens5. species. If seen well, birds of either sex are un­ This handsome is rarely seen by casual mistakable. The yellow and white underparts, observers. Throughout the range it is rare or lo­ scaled with black (more extensive in the female) cally uncommon, inhabiting forest edge, borders and the densely barred mantle and rump are of woodlots and even gardens provided there are immediately obvious even if one fails to notice scattered trees. In the breeding season, when the that incredible tail! Less conspicuous is the par­ species is quiet and unobtrusive, they are usu­ tially concealed reddish nuchal crest. This, along ally found singly or in pairs. Spectacular parties with feeding habits, parallels the Andean cotingid of 15–20 birds have been recorded during migra­ genus Ampelion — considered to be the closest rela­ tion1,4. tives of Phibalura. Geographical variation is slight, Phibalura is unique amongst the Cotinginae although Bolivian birds are longer-tailed than their as it is the only species in which the tail is mark­ south-east Brazilian counterparts. Immatures are

75 COTINGA 6 P h o to S p o t browner and possess more heavily marked under­ 3. Prum, R. O. (1990) A test of the monophyly of parts. Moult information for Phibalura is scarce, the Manakins (Pipridae) and Cotingas but it appears females moult earlier than males, a (Cotingidae) based on morphology. Occ. Pa­ feature unique within the Cotinginae1,5. pers Mus. Zool. Univ. Mich. 723: 1– 44. Swallow-tailed Cotinga is one of the most 4. Ridgely, R. S. & Tudor, G. (1994) The birds of sought-after birds by birders visiting the south­ South America, 2. Austin: University of eastern corner of the “bird continent”. Texas Press. Unfortunately it appears to be declining and may 5. Snow, D. W. (1982) The cotingas: bellbirds, deserve formal threatened status4. umbrellabirds and other species. British Mu­ seum (Natural History), London: Cornell R eferences University Press. 1. Barnes, E., Bushell, C. & Green, G. (in prep.) Cotingas and manakins. Mountfield, East Colin Bushell Sussex: Pica Press. 13 Chaulden Terrace, Hemel Hempstead, Hertford­ 2. Kricher, J. C. (1989) A neotropical companion. shire HP1 2AN, U.K. Princeton: Princeton University Press.

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B ack co v e r Top left: Swallow-tailed Cotinga Phibalura flavirostris, Itatiaia National Park, Brazil (Chris Gibbons)

Top right: Swallow-tailed Cotinga Phibalura flavirostris, nest w ith nestlings, Itatiaia National Park, Brazil (Chris Gibbons)

Bottom left and right: West Peruvian Screech-Owl Otus roboratus, Río Calvas at Hacienda Linderos, extreme southern Loja, Ecuador: August 1991 (Robert S. R. Williams) Swallow-tailed Cotinga Phibalura flavirostris (Chris Gibbons)

West Peruvian Screech-Owl Otus roboratus (Robert S. R. Williams)

Please direct correspondence to: The Senior Editor, Neotropical Bird Club, c/o The Lodge, Sandy. Beds. SG19 2DL. U.K.