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ABSTRACT.-
We describe the first recordings of a male vocalization of the Turquoise Cotinga (Cotinga ridgwayi) along with reviewing the sound production in the genus Cotinga. Vocalizations were heard in the Coto Brus region of southwestern Costa Rica from late 2003 until early 2005. The vocalization described is different from previous calls known for the species and genus. The vocalization is a pure tone, produced at a high frequency. These vocalizations were observed in a variety of contexts, although more often during alarm or advertisement situations. Received 18 September 2006. Accepted 14 December 2006.
The genus Cotinga is a monophyletic lineage comprising seven species (Snow 1982, Prum et al. 2000). It is part of one of the leaststudied neotropical bird families in which little is known about the ecology and behavior of the majority of species. The Cotinga are considered almost voiceless (Snow et al. 2004) but adult males produce mechanical rattling noises during flight (Snow 1982). Until recently, vocalizations had been described only for the Spangled Cotinga (Cotinga cayana) (Chaves 2001). Its vocalization is described as a soft, medium-pitched "hooo" repeated 2-3 times at irregular intervals, produced while displaying. These displays did not include mechanical sounds emitted during male flights. The other known vocalizations have been produced by females of the genus (Snow et al. 2004). Skutch (1969) observed a female Turquoise Cotinga (Cotinga ridgwayi) emitting a clear, monosyllabic "ic, ic, ic" alarm-call after its nest was attacked by a toucanet and while searching for the fledgling. The only known male vocalization of the Turquoise Cotinga was heard by F. G. Stiles (pers. comm.) while manipulating a mist-netted bird. The bird emitted a surprisingly loud, mulelike raucous "caaaoo." Here we describe another vocalization uttered by males of the Turquoise Cotinga while adding information on the context of the call production of a Vulnerable and endemic species (Birdlife International 2000). We also provide a general discussion on the sound production of this little known but widespread genus (Cotinga).
METHODS
Our observations were from late November 2003 until mid-January 2005. Most observations were made opportunistically while conducting bird-watching tours and every time a cotinga was observed (or heard), we compiled the data. Most of our observations were recorded at Las Cruces Biological Station (LCBS) in...