Neotropical bellbird

Neotropical bellbird (or simply bellbird) is the common name given to passerine birds of the genus Procnias, found in the Neotropics. They are members of the cotinga family. In some parts of their range, they are sometimes referred to as "araponga". They are all restricted to tropical or subtropical humid forested regions, often in low mountains or foothills. As indicated by their common name, they all have extremely loud calls that are reminiscent of a metal bell being rung.

Neotropical bellbird
Bearded bellbird (Procnias averano)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Cotingidae
Genus: Procnias
Illiger, 1811
Species

Three of the four species are restricted to South America, while the last, the three-wattled bellbird, is restricted to southern Central America.

They are strongly sexually dimorphic. Males have an at least partially white plumage, and facial wattles or bare facial skin. Females lack the wattles/bare facial skin, and are overall olive with yellowish streaks below.

Species list

Genus Procnias

ImageScientific nameCommon NameDistribution
Procnias tricarunculatusThree-wattled bellbirdCosta Rica, to eastern Honduras, Nicaragua and western Panama
Procnias albusWhite bellbirdGuianas, Venezuela and ParĂ¡ (Brazil)
Procnias averanoBearded bellbirdVenezuela (+ adjacent parts of Colombia and Guyana), Trinidad & Tobago and northeastern Brazil
Procnias nudicollisBare-throated bellbirdAtlantic forest and adjacent moist areas

Further reading

  • Snow, D.W. (1982). The Cotingas: Bellbirds, Umbrella birds and their allies. British Museum Press. ISBN 0-19-858511-X


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