Little Red Riding Hood is remembered for her red hood. But have you ever thought of an orange hood? The males of the Andean cock-of-the-rock, also known as tunki are always noted for their bright orange crown. Their beauty is a bane for them as it exposes them to birds of prey and even snakes, thus making them vulnerable. Encroachment of their habitat is another major threat to the species.
The Andean cock-of-the-rock is indigenous to the subtropical forests of South America. Often spotted near upland streams, it feeds on fruits, insects and at times small vertebrates. Seems like a mixed diet!
Females of the Andean cock take the responsibility of building nests which is plastered to cave entrances or rocky outcrops using mud. Their world-wide population and trends in their numbers have not been determined. Still, it is believed that these birds are not threatened.
Picture Credit : Google