Masked fruiteater facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Masked fruiteater |
|
|---|---|
_photographed_by_devon_pike_in_peru_in_2011.jpg) |
|
| female | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Pipreola
|
| Species: |
pulchra
|
 |
|
The masked fruiteater (scientific name: Pipreola pulchra) is a type of bird that lives only in Peru. It belongs to the Cotingidae family, which includes many colorful birds. This bird makes its home in wet, cool montane forests (mountain forests) on the eastern side of the Andes mountains. Experts believe there are many masked fruiteaters, and they live across a wide area. Because of this, the IUCN says it's a species of "least concern", meaning it's not currently in danger of disappearing.
Contents
What Does the Masked Fruiteater Look Like?
The masked fruiteater is a medium-sized bird, about 17 cm (7 in) long. Both male and female birds have bright green feathers on their backs and wings. They also have yellowish eyes, a coral-colored (pinkish-orange) beak, and gray legs.
Male vs. Female Masked Fruiteaters
The male masked fruiteater has a special "mask" of black feathers on its face and upper throat. It also has a bright orange patch on its lower throat that looks like a bib. Its sides are green with some spots, and its belly is yellowish.
The female masked fruiteater looks a bit different. She does not have the black mask or the orange bib. Instead, her underside is green with yellow stripes.
How to Tell Them Apart from Similar Birds
Sometimes, the masked fruiteater can be confused with another bird called the scarlet-breasted fruiteater (Pipreola frontalis). But there are a few ways to tell them apart:
- The scarlet-breasted fruiteater has pale tips on its wing feathers (called tertial feathers).
- The male scarlet-breasted fruiteater has a red throat but no collar.
- The female scarlet-breasted fruiteater has a yellow upper throat and a smooth, unbarred chest.
Sounds They Make
The masked fruiteater has a very high-pitched whistle that sounds like "tseeeeeeeweee". When it makes a short call, it sounds like a rising "tsweet".
Where Do Masked Fruiteaters Live?
The masked fruiteater is a bird that is endemic to Peru. This means it is found naturally only in Peru and nowhere else in the world. It lives on the eastern side of the Andes Mountains. You can find these birds in montane forests (mountain forests) at heights between 1,600 to 2,400 metres (5,200 to 7,900 ft) above sea level.
What is Their Conservation Status?
The Pipreola pulchra has a wide range (the area where it lives) and is quite common in most of these areas. While experts haven't counted every single bird, they believe the total number of masked fruiteaters is slowly going down. However, this decrease is happening at a slow rate. Because of this, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has decided that its conservation status is "least concern". This means the species is not currently considered to be in danger of extinction.
See also
In Spanish: Frutero enmascarado para niños
