Andean Cock of the rock: The National bird of Peru

Let’s tell you about the amazing national bird of Peru! This fabulous bird lives in the longest mountain range of South America which is identified as Andes. The Andes Mountain Range of South America is the globe highest mountain range outdoors Asia. The bird is nicely known for its huge round crest and fantastic orange plumage. This bird is recognized as Andean Cock-of-the-rock which is scientifically named as Rupicola peruvianus.

Andean Cock of the Rock. Image By Bill Bouton

Andean Cocks of the rock have black wings with a row of pale grey feathers inside. The Andean Cock-of-the-rock can acquire the approximate length of 32 cm (12½ in) and weight of 235 grams (eight.7 oz).  The female Andean Cock of the Rock is comparatively darker in its color than the male with a shorter crest. The bill is yellowish in the male, and dark with a modest yellow tip in the female. The diet of Andean Cock of the rock primarily consists mostly of fruit and insects, though modest vertebrates such as frogs or lizards have also been recorded. The most exquisite function of the Andean Cocks of the Rock is their show of fluttering dance throughout courtship. They build their nests with mud and stick mostly on the rocks and the female lays only two eggs during the year. The female Andean Cock of the rock incubates the egg for 28 days.

Andean female Cock of the rock ( Image: Brad Schram )

Andean Cock of the rock, the national bird of Peru is primarily threatened with the predators like wild beasts and prey birds. Andean Cock of the rock is evaluated as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

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Tahuamanu Rainforests of Peru

Latin America is specially known for the richest forest and marine ecosystems on earth. This part of the globe consists of the Central and Southern American region and the lovely Caribbean islands. Though the whole region is complete of natural wonders and Amazon add grandeur to this beauty but Tahuamanu rainforests of Peru possess unique significance and mystic attractions. Tahuamanu province is the least populated territory of Peru comprising of 19.7 million acres of dense forests. Tahuamanu is also property to the uncommon and precious reserves of old-growth mahogany and tall cedar trees.

Tahuamanu  is also recognized for the planet’s biggest recognized mineral clay lick, which is situated in the west of Tahuamanu. This mineral-rich mud of this natural wonder helps the birds digest acidic fruits that they eat day-to-day.

Image © Frans Lemmens

Tahuamanu is a all-natural habitat of much more than 750 species of birds such as magnificent parrots and macaws. It is also a dwelling spot of many uncommon species of mammals like giant otter, the ocelot, the jaguar, the six feet extended ‘river wolf’, badgers, minks and weasels. The human population of Tahuamanu contains the Mascho-Piro, the Yaminahua and the Amahuaca races who really are nomadic Indians and have been living right here for thousands of years. Their living is dependent on fishing, hunting and collecting the eggs of turtles.

But this incredible present of nature is endangered with the environmental threats like illegal logging, mining and drilling, hunting and killing of wildlife and overfishing all through the Tahuamanu. Agriculture on commercial basis and Cattle Ranching are further contributing to the deforestation in this region.

The illegal loggers trespass this region routinely to steal the mahogany trees. Most of this uncommon timber of Tahuamanú is being exported illegally to USA which is a continuous danger to these forests. Illegal loggers steal into the Amazon, reduce the trees in an illicit manner, hunt the uncommon wildlife species of Tahuamanu, and leave behind clearings quickly filled by settlers, road builders and farmers.

The require of the day is to safeguard Tahuamanu from all environmental criminals and to encourage the regional groups and environmental activists for the permanent protection of this superb region. Otherwise the day is not far when Tahuamanu rainforest will be lost forever.

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