Oscar writes: Andean Cock-of-the-Rock: At the end of our time in Peru, we spent a few days in the rainforest, including one night at Cock-of-the-Rock Lodge, so named due to the presence of a lekking area for these birds just a short walk from the lodge. 4pm on the day we arrived saw us assemble in a small open-sided wooden hide to watch the males compete for mating opportunities with the females. It was amazing to watch, and luckily I was also able to get a few photos of them when they (rarely!) perched out in the open.
Nikon D800, Nikon 400mm f/2.8 VR lens.
See more of Oscar’s photographs here and regularly on Sunday evenings on this blog.
Mark writes: what an amazing bird. I’d love to see them although, on the whole, South America doesn’t attract me much.
There are two species of Cock-of-the-Rock – the other being the Guianan Cock-of-the-Rock. The two species both lek and have broadly similar plumage, behaviour and ecology.
The Guianan Cock-of-the-Rock is one of the species illustrated and described in my latest book, Remarkable Birds.
Something like one-third of the world’s bird species are in South America, Mark. You should go!
PeterD – yes I know, but they’ll still be there (or not) if I don’t go!