Andean cocks-of-the-rock, Ecuador Apr 17, 2025

Andean cocks-of-the-rock, Ecuador

If fashion had a bird ambassador, the cock-of-the-rock would steal the spotlight. The males look like they"re wearing a bright orange-red costume, complete with a huge crest that almost covers their beak. With its bold colors, this native South American bird isn"t just about looks—it"s got the moves too. The Andean and Guianan cock-of-the-rock are renowned for their theatrical courtship dances, making them true head-turners of the feathered kingdom. Females are far less flashy, with brownish feathers that help them stay hidden. During the mating season, males gather in leks—noisy display arenas—where they hop, squawk, and shake their heads in an effort to impress a female. She watches, picks the best dancer, mates, and then flies off to build a concave, cup-shaped mud nest on a rocky surface.

© Kit Day/Alamy

palette

Today in History

Apr 17, 2018The Children’s Cultural Festival in Reykjavik begins today
Apr 17, 2019Happy birthday to the Peak!
Apr 17, 2020It s a ruff life
Apr 17, 2021A river runs through it
Apr 17, 2022Easter
Apr 17, 2023International Haiku Poetry Day
Apr 17, 2024Black bear cub emerging into spring

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Nov 2, 2023Death Valley National Park, California
Oct 25, 2023Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Utah
Apr 25, 2022World Penguin Day
Nov 27, 2019Have you turned off your electronic device?
May 12, 2024Happy Mothers Day!
Sep 3, 2022Skyscraper Day
Jun 13, 2022Okavango Delta, Botswana
Jan 13, 2020Welcome to California
Jan 4, 2020Celebrating whales—and a whale of a tale
Apr 30, 2025International Jazz Day
Jun 19, 2020Celebrating freedom
Sep 13, 2022Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve
Oct 23, 2022Mute swan
May 10, 2019Looking back on 150 years of rail travel
May 14, 2021A misty morning in Brazil
Mar 22, 2023World Water Day
Feb 6, 2018Maritime forest on Cumberland Island, Georgia
Nov 26, 2024Celebrating World Olive Tree Day
Sep 4, 2018What the hay?
Apr 28, 2020Happy 800th, Salisbury Cathedral
Mar 29, 2021Rising up from the black sand like rock gods
Feb 20, 2022World Whale Day
May 20, 2025World Bee Day
Aug 31, 2024Tassili n’Ajjer, Sahara, Algeria
Jul 10, 2025Independence Day of the Bahamas
Feb 12, 2019To Roswell, and beyond!
Apr 13, 2019Feelin groovy on Record Store Day
Apr 11, 2024Churún Merú waterfall in Venezuela
Nov 20, 2022World Children s Day
Jan 31, 2025Happy International Zebra Day!