Turquoise Cotinga
The Turquoise Cotinga is a stunning, medium-sized bird found in humid lowland and foothill forests from Nicaragua to northwestern Ecuador, with males displaying brilliant turquoise-blue plumage contrasting with deep purple throat and belly patches, while females show green upperparts, typically seen perched high in the canopy feeding on fruits and berries.
Cotinga ridgwayi
Scientific Name
Cotingidae (Cotingas)
Family
Passeriformes
Order
Range and Habitat of Turquoise Cotinga
Geographic Range
The Turquoise Cotinga is endemic to the Pacific slope of southwestern Costa Rica and extreme western Panama (Chiriquí Province), representing one of the most restricted ranges of any Costa Rican endemic.
Migratory Patterns
The Turquoise Cotinga shows complex seasonal altitudinal movements. It breeds at higher elevations from 900-1,800 m and descends to 300-900 m during non-breeding season. Some individuals may remain at middle elevations year-round where food is reliable.
Preferred Habitat
The species inhabits humid premontane and lower montane forests, forest edges and partially cleared areas with scattered tall trees, secondary forests with good canopy height, and occasionally visits isolated fruiting trees in pastures. During the non-breeding season, it uses lowland forests and forest fragments. The species requires areas with abundant fruiting trees, particularly wild avocados.
Altitude Range
The Turquoise Cotinga shows distinct seasonal altitude preferences. During breeding season (March-August), it occurs at 900-1,800 m, occasionally up to 2,000 m. In non-breeding season (September-February), it descends to 300-900 m, rarely to sea level.
Costa Rica Habitat
In Costa Rica, the species is restricted to the Pacific slope of the Cordillera de Talamanca and Fila Costeña. It occurs from the Carara area south through the Tárcoles Valley, Central Pacific mountains around San Mateo and Puriscal, Dota region, Fila Costeña, Península de Osa, and Golfo Dulce region.
Conservation Status
Vulnerable
Conservation Status
Population Status
The global population is estimated at fewer than 10,000 individuals and declining. The species has disappeared from parts of its former range
Major threats include deforestation and habitat fragmentation in both breeding and non-breeding ranges. Conversion of forest to agriculture, particularly pineapple and oil palm plantations, has eliminated lowland habitat.
Conservation efforts
The Turquoise Cotinga is protected under Costa Rican law as an endangered species. Important populations occur in Las Cruces/Wilson Botanical Garden, Carara National Park surroundings, and private reserves in the Osa region.
Primary Threats
Major threats include deforestation and habitat fragmentation in both breeding and non-breeding ranges. Conversion of forest to agriculture, particularly pineapple and oil palm plantations, has eliminated lowland habitat.
Turquoise Cotinga Identification
How to Identify the Species
Rarity Level:
RareBest Viewing Times:
Early Morning (Dawn - 8 AM)
Size
17-18 cm in total length, males weigh 65-75 g while females weigh 60-70 g.
Plumage
Adult males display spectacular bright turquoise-blue plumage over most of the body, with the intensity varying with light angle. The throat, upper breast, and center of belly show deep purple patches that can appear black in poor light. The wings are black with turquoise-blue coverts and edges. The tail is black with blue edges to outer feathers. Adult females are entirely different, showing overall brown plumage with darker wings and tail. The underparts are heavily scaled with dark edges to each feather, creating a distinctive scalloped pattern.
Distinctive Features
Males’ brilliant turquoise plumage is unique among Costa Rican birds, visible even at considerable distance. Females’ heavy scaling below distinguishes them from other brown cotingas.
Sexual Dimorphism
This species shows extreme sexual dimorphism. Males are brilliantly colored in turquoise and purple, while females are entirely brown with scaled underparts. This represents one of the most extreme examples of sexual dimorphism in Costa Rican birds.
Diet and Feeding Behavior
Primary Diet
- The Turquoise Cotinga is primarily frugivorous, specializing in fruits of the laurel family, particularly small wild avocados. It also consumes palm fruits, Cecropia catkins, various Ficus species, melastome berries, and mistletoe berries. During breeding season, it occasionally takes insects to feed young.
Foraging Techniques
- This cotinga employs simple foraging methods, plucking fruits while perched when possible. It performs short hovering flights to reach fruits on terminal twigs and makes sally-strikes to grab fruits in mid-flight, swallowing them whole.
Feeding Times
- Peak feeding occurs in early morning from 6:00-9:00 when fruits are freshest. A secondary feeding period occurs in late afternoon from 15:00-17:30. The species may feed intermittently throughout the day at productive trees.
Behavior Patterns
Turquoise Cotinga
Social Structure
Males are generally solitary except at fruiting trees where multiple individuals may gather. Females are solitary during nesting but may join feeding aggregations. During non-breeding season, loose flocks of 5-15 individuals form at productive feeding sites.
Song and Vocalization
The Turquoise Cotinga is generally silent, typical of the genus. Males occasionally produce a soft whistled “wheeeoo” during breeding season. Contact call is a quiet “pip” rarely heard.
Courtship and Mating Ritual
Males perform spectacular aerial displays, flying high above canopy then diving with rigid wings producing rushing sound. Display flights often occur at traditional sites used across years. Males may loosely aggregate at display areas but don’t form classical leks. The brilliant plumage serves as the primary visual display.
Territoriality
Males don’t defend feeding territories but may have preferred display sites. Females likely defend nesting areas though this is poorly documented. At fruiting trees, the species is notably non-aggressive, feeding peacefully with other frugivores.
Birdwatching Tips
Best Locations for Spotting Turquoise Cotinga
Key sites include
- Wilson Botanical Garden and Las Cruces (reliable year-round)
- Talari Mountain Lodge near San Isidro
- Los Cusingos Bird Sanctuary
- San Luis Valley above Monteverde (seasonal)
- Esquinas Rainforest Lodge area
- Vista del Valle restaurant area above Tárcoles
- Finca Cantaros near San Vito
- Forested areas around San Vito.
Best Time of the Year
Best viewing occurs from December to February when birds descend to lower elevations. March-May offers opportunities at breeding elevations.
Common Behavior
Look for fruiting trees, especially wild avocados (Lauraceae). Males’ turquoise plumage is visible even at distance. Check canopy edges and isolated trees in clearings.
Recommended Gear
Essential equipment includes 8×42 or 10×42 binoculars for canopy observation, a spotting scope useful for distant perched birds, and a camera with telephoto lens as birds often remain high.
Breeding and Nesting Behavior
Breeding Season
Breeding occurs from March to July, with peak activity April-May during the late dry season and early wet season when fruits are most abundant at higher elevations.
Nesting Sites
The nest is built solely by the female and consists of a small cup made of twigs and rootlets, lined with finer plant fibers. It measures 12-15 cm in external diameter with an internal cup of 6-7 cm. Nests are placed high in trees, typically 10-25 meters above ground in the canopy or sub-canopy, often in tree forks or on horizontal branches.
Clutch Size
1-2 eggs, typically just 1
Incubation Period
18-20 days
Parental Care
The female alone incubates and raises the young with no assistance from males. She feeds the nestling primarily fruits with some insects. The fledging period is approximately 28-30 days. Post-fledging care duration is unknown but likely brief.
Did You Know?
Interesting Behaviors
Males can fly several kilometers between favored display sites and feeding areas daily. The species can swallow fruits up to 2 cm in diameter whole.
Cultural Significance
The Turquoise Cotinga has become a symbol of Costa Rica’s southern Pacific conservation efforts. Its image appears on regional conservation materials and signage. Indigenous peoples historically used blue cotinga feathers in ceremonial dress.
Surprising Traits
The species can survive on fruits alone without drinking water, obtaining all moisture from food.
How do I identify this bird?
Males are unmistakable – brilliant turquoise-blue with purple throat and belly patches. No other Costa Rican bird shows this color combination. Females are brown with heavily scaled underparts, distinguished from other cotingas by the scaling pattern. The endemic range helps narrow identification.
Where is the best place to see it in Costa Rica?
Wilson Botanical Garden near San Vito offers the most reliable viewing, especially December-February. Los Cusingos and the San Luis Valley above Monteverde are also productive. Success often depends on fruiting tree availability.
Is it endangered?
Listed as Vulnerable with declining populations due to habitat loss. The restricted endemic range and specific habitat requirements make it vulnerable. However, protected areas and reforestation efforts provide hope for the species’ future.