Cock-of-the-Rock

The Cock-of-the-Rock, a Bird, yes, a BIRD
Now I could say a lot, I could give all the fine details and by the time I’m done with you, you would be well educated on the subject, whatever it might be, but there are some things, you have to experience for yourself.

The Cock-of-the-Rock bird, you would definitely have to see for yourself.
So call the travel agent, book that flight COME visit beautiful Guyana, you are WELCOME...

The Cock-of-the-Rock is one of those uniquely plumed birds that can be easily identified by birders of all levels, with the male's brilliant orange colorings, complete with an attention-grabbing Mohawk.
The radiant plumage of the male makes it one of the most sought after and easily identifiable birds of the tropics, the female's less-than-striking brown colorings don't attract equal attention, but watching the females (who often build their nests in groups) interact is a rare experience indeed.

Adult Cock-of-the-Rocks grow to roughly eight inches in height and have stout, almost rounded, bodies.
Females have a dull-brown plumage, while the males, in an attempt to attract the females, take the color orange to extremes. Outside of a black streak through the perfect half-moon crest on their head, and black and white colorings on the wings and tail feathers, males are orange throughout, from the bill to the legs to the skin.

When in flight the birds are said to make a noticeable hissing sound that emanates from the remiges on their wingtips. They have a wide-array of sounds that range from a popping noise caused by the snapping of their bills to a call that is compared to a distressed cat. But the best chance for identification is likely to come from the stark contrast of the male's bright-orange amongst the greens of tropical forests.

Habitat
Guianan Cock-of-the-Rocks are found amongst the mountainous regions of northern South America: Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, Columbia, Venezuela, and Amazonian Brazil. Guyana has a healthy population of the birds, which are most common in Birding Zone Six. There are several known Cock-of-the-Rock lek sites in Guyana, but perhaps the most notable locations for sightings are at Kaieteur Falls, Iwokrama International Centre for Rainforest Conservation and Development, and the Amerindian village of Woweta. At these sites, visitors can often see them nesting in caves, performing their mating dance on the lek, bathing in pools and perched in trees for perfect viewing.


Behavior
Guianan Cock-of-the-Rocks are polygamous; an attribute that has given rise to a unique courtship performance that is one of their most recognizable behaviors. During courtship, several males gather at a lek, or a communal area where male birds compete for the attention of females. Within the lek, each male has his own territory that he defends as well as uses as a stage to display their bright colors while performing dances that are no less captivating than they are unusual. The birds strut and hop about, bob their heads, spread their wings, ruffle their tail feathers, and let out a series of unique calls in order to attract the attention of the females who walk through the lek like discerning judges. As there are often more males than females, competition is fierce, and only a few lucky winners will be rewarded with the chance to mate.

The females, who raise the chicks without assistance from the males, often choose nesting sites that are near the leks, and it's not unusual for several females to build their nests in groups. The nests consist of mud, clay and various plant matter, and are usually built on cliffs or in crevices or caves near to or above a water source in a damp, shaded area to keep the nests from drying out and cracking. A typical clutch consists of two eggs, with an incubation period of 27-28 days.

Cock-of-the-Rocks are also noted for contributing to the spread of local plant diversity. The birds are mainly fruit eaters, and they pass seeds undamaged through their digestive system allowing species of trees to grow considerable distances away from their parent trees.
(Taken from the Guyana Tourism Authority)