The screaming piha (''Lipaugus vociferans'') is a species of passerine bird in the family Cotingidae. It is found in humid forests in the Amazon and tropical parts of the Mata Atlântica in South America. They are most notable for their extraordinarily loud voice.

Distribution and habitat

The screaming piha is a common bird in the middle and lower parts of the canopy at altitudes below about , or up to in Venezuela and the Andean foothills.

Description

The screaming piha grows to a length of about . Both sexes have dull grey

plumage Plumage ( "feather") is a layer of feathers that covers a bird and the pattern, colour, and arrangement of those feathers. The pattern and colours of plumage differ between species and subspecies and may vary with age classes. Within species, ...

(wings and tail often somewhat duskier) and the underparts are paler grey. Juveniles are grey tinged with brown or rust.

Behavior and ecology

The screaming piha is an elusive bird despite its distinctive voice, remaining still for long periods and blending in with the branches. It is usually solitary, but may sometimes join a mixed species foraging group.

Diet and feeding

Screaming pihas feed mainly on fruits, but also consumes insects, sometimes flying out from its perch to pluck a fruit or catch an insect in the air with a trogon-like hover.

Vocalizations and mimicry

The screaming piha has a voice that is extraordinarily loud, reaching 116 dB, second only to that of the white bellbird. In the breeding season, up to ten males may gather in loose leks, where they sing to attract females. The Cofán people of Ecuador call it the ''Pwe-pwe Yoh'', which is a reference to its voice. Among the Ecuadorian Secoyas, the bird is known as the ''Kwow-kwee-yo.'' The sound is frequently used in movies as a sound typical of the

Amazon rainforest The Amazon rainforest, Amazon jungle or ; es, Selva amazónica, , or usually ; french: Forêt amazonienne; nl, Amazoneregenwoud. In English, the names are sometimes capitalized further, as Amazon Rainforest, Amazon Forest, or Amazon Jungle. ...

Status and conservation

The screaming piha is adapting well to human settlement areas like gardens and parks, and is considered to be of least concern by

BirdLife International BirdLife International is a global partnership of non-governmental organizations that strives to conserve birds and their habitats. BirdLife International's priorities include preventing extinction of bird species, identifying and safeguarding ...

References

screaming piha The screaming piha (''Lipaugus vociferans'') is a species of passerine bird in the family Cotingidae. It is found in humid forests in the Amazon and tropical parts of the Mata Atlântica in South America. They are most notable for their extraor ...

Birds of the Amazon Basin Birds of the Guianas Birds of the Atlantic Forest

Birds of Brazil Taxonomy articles created by Polbot