Purple-throated Fruitcrow

About the Purple-throated Fruitcrow

The purple-throated fruitcrow (Querula purpurata) is a species of bird in the family Cotingidae, the cotingas. It is found in Costa Rica, Panama, Nicaragua, and in every mainland South American country except Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay.

The purple-throated fruitcrow was originally described as Muscicapa purpurata, mistakenly placing it with the Old World flycatchers. It was eventually moved to its present genus Querula that was erected in 1816. It is the only member of that genus and has no subspecies.

The purple-throated fruitcrow is 25 to 30 cm (9.8 to 12 in) long and weighs 91 to 133 g (3.2 to 4.7 oz). Adult males have glossy black upperparts and duller black underparts. Their throat feathers are dark reddish purple; they are long and square-tipped and form a "shield" to the sides and upper breast. Adult females are overall dull black and lack the shield though they may have a few crimson feathers on the throat. Both sexes have a dark brown iris, a pale gray or silver gray bill with a black tip, and dusky gray to black legs and feet. Juveniles have a dull black crown, wings, and tail. They are otherwise brownish black... Wikipedia →