The long-wattled umbrellabird (Cephalopterus penduliger) belongs to the Cotingidae family and is known by various Spanish names like pájaro bolsón, pájaro toro, dungali, and vaca del monte. This rare bird is predominantly found in humid to wet premontane and cloud forests, primarily on the Pacific slopes of southwest Colombia and western Ecuador, occasionally venturing to lower altitudes.

Males stand at 40–42 cm tall, slightly taller than the females, which measure 35–37 cm. Both sexes sport a short tail and an erectile head crest, with males having a more extended crest of 20–30 cm. The distinguishing feature of the male is its large throat wattle made of feathers, while females and juveniles either have a smaller wattle or none at all. The wattle’s length is adjustable and can be retracted during flight. Additionally, male feathers often display black shafts.

The species’ specific nаme, penduliger, оriginаtes frоm the Lаtin term pendulus, meаning hаnging, referring tо the distinctive wаttle.

Distribution and HabitatEndemic to the Tumbes-Chocó-Magdalena bioregion, the bird’s range extends from southwestern Colombia to the El Oro province in Ecuador. It thrives in humid montane forests situated between 1,500-1,800 m above sea level along the Andes’ ridges and slopes.

EcologyThe long-wattled umbrellabird is primarily frugivorous, favoring large fruits from the Arecaceae, Lauraceae, and Myrtaceae families, supplemented by invertebrates and small vertebrates.

Reproduction

Engaging in lek mating, males gather in communal display areas visited by solitary females. Females choose males exhibiting dominant secondary traits. Nests are typically located in trees or treeferns at heights ranging from 4.5–5.0 m above ground. With a low clutch size, females lay a single egg per nesting cycle, incubating it for 27 or 28 days and providing nourishment mainly consisting of invertebrates, vertebrates, and regurgitated material.

ConservationThe IUCN classifies the long-wattled umbrellabird as vulnerable, with an estimated population of 6,000-15,000 mature individuals in 2012. The species faces threats from habitat destruction due to deforestation and hunting, particularly in easily identifiable lek mating sites, making it susceptible to trapping.

To safeguard the species, it inhabits several protected areas, suggesting the consolidation of these reserves and potentially designating them as biosphere reserves. Forest composition curation and reforestation are highlighted as crucial conservation strategies.