Bird Tidbits

Guianan Cock-of-the-Rock — The Face of Guyana

The Guianan Cock-of-the-Rock could easily be considered the face of Guyana; with the male's brilliant orange colorings, complete with an attention-grabbing Mohawk, it's no wonder it graces the covers of so many tourism brochures. But it also makes the cover because of Guyana's healthy population of the birds. Guyana has several known Cock-of-the-Rock lek sites, giving birders a decent chance of seeing males competing for female attention. And while the brown colorings of the female aren't as striking, watching the birds (who often build their nests in groups) interact is a rare experience indeed.

Harpy Eagle — The Elusive Flying Wolf

With weights reaching 18 pounds, a wingspan of more than six feet, and a healthy diet of mammals including sloths and monkeys, the world's largest eagle is often referred to as the "flying wolf." Harpy Eagles are becoming increasingly rare in the wild, but Guyana still provides a refuge for this endangered species. In fact, Guyana's relatively large population of Harpy Eagles caught the attention of National Geographic who filmed the documentary, Flight of the Harpy Eagle, in Guyana.

Red Siskin — An Endangered Species Holds Firm in Guyana

The Red Siskin used to flourish in Venezuela and Columbia, but more than 150 years of trappings greatly diminished its population in the wild. It was believed to be nearing extinction until April of 2000 when, during a survey of Guyana's birds, researchers from the University of Kansas and the Smithsonian Institution discovered a population of several thousand Red Siskins in southern Guyana. Not only was it the first time the bird was discovered in Guyana, but also the number found is much larger than the previously recorded wild population. Guyana is one of the few places left offering birders an excellent chance at viewing this endangered bird.



Back to Featured Birds