Umbrella Bird
All About The True Umbrella Bird
The umbrella bird is a mountain dwelling species who moves up and down the mountains as his migratory pattern. The umbrella bird frequents forests at 6,000 feet elevation during the off season, when they are not parenting young chicks. During the breeding and nesting phase of each year, however, he can be found in the foothill and low land areas of his native subtropical environment. The heavy concentration of logging, burning, and development of his natural habitat in South and Central America has caused his numbers to decrease vastly over the past twenty years, and he is now an endangered species. His only hope is to go high on the mountain and stay there, but nature may not allow this type of adaptation before it’s far too late for this beautiful creature.
The umbrella bird is what is known as an altitudinal migrant, much like the mountain goat or the ram. Wherever the food is more readily available, and the climate conducive to that phase of his life, that is where he can be found. The mating rituals are somewhat distinct to the long-wattled umbrella bird, as they will gather in small groups of four or more in order to socialize. The males in the group will sing for the females, or rather yell and scream, and she will base her choice of mate on how impressed she is with his performance. The louder and more obnoxious the better for these little vixens, much unlike the basis by which a human female chooses her loved one.
The visual attributes of the umbrella bird are astounding, as they are sleek, black, and rather imposing in stature. A large, forward-falling tuft of feathers comes high off of the head and hangs over the eyes, giving this bird its name. There are a few subspecies of the umbrella bird, but most have a long wattle of black feathers which comes down from the highest point of the chest. The lek, which is the name of the gathering area of this unique species, is therefore a wonderful place to behold.
The diet of the umbrella bird is based on a strong need for protein and other nutrients. As the rainforest and mountain areas of the subtropical region are crawling with reptiles and large insects, they are the natural choice for most of the avian residents here. He also needs fruit for vitamins and liquid in his diet, and will even go after small animals and rodents should he feel the inkling. There are no captive umbrella birds in the United States, at least not those who were legally bred. The umbrella cockatoo is not the same, but a wonderful specimen of the bird kingdom as well.