Guianan red cotinga facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Guianan red cotinga |
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Phoenicircus
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carnifex
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The Guianan red cotinga (Phoenicircus carnifex) is a bright red bird that lives in the forests of northeastern South America. It belongs to the Cotingidae family, which includes many colorful birds called cotingas. This bird is one of only two species in its group, the Phoenicircus genus.
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Where the Guianan Red Cotinga Lives
This amazing bird can be found in several countries in northeastern South America. Its main home is in the Guianas, which include Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana. You can also spot it in a small area of eastern Venezuela.
In Brazil, the Guianan red cotinga lives near where the Amazon River meets the ocean. From there, its range stretches upstream into the Brazilian states of Pará and Amapá. It also lives on Marajó Island and areas south of it in northeastern Pará.
Its Natural Home
The Guianan red cotinga prefers to live in forests that are warm, wet, and low-lying. These are known as subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests. It shares some of its living space with its only close relative, the black-necked red cotinga.
Understanding the Guianan Red Cotinga's Name
The scientific name of the Guianan red cotinga is Phoenicircus carnifex. Let's break down how it got this name!
Early Discoveries and Naming
Back in 1743, a British naturalist named George Edwards was one of the first to describe this bird. He drew a picture and called it "The Red Bird from Surinam." His drawing was based on a bird owned by the Duke of Richmond.
Later, in 1758, the famous Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus officially named the bird in his book Systema Naturae. He first placed it with the shrikes in the Lanius group and gave it the scientific name Lanius carnifex.
Modern Classification
Today, the Guianan red cotinga is placed in its own special group called Phoenicircus. This group was created in 1832 by an English naturalist named William Swainson. The name Phoenicircus comes from two ancient Greek words: phoinikeos, meaning "crimson" or "dark red," and kerkos, meaning "tail." This perfectly describes the bird's bright red color!
The second part of its scientific name, carnifex, is a Latin word that means "executioner" or "murderer." It's a bit of a strong name for a bird, but it likely refers to its striking, almost fierce, red color. This species is considered monotypic, which means there are no different types or subspecies of the Guianan red cotinga recognized.
See also
- Cotinga
- Birds of South America
