Instagram | @birddetective

This Bird Is Called A 'Cock-Of-The-Rock' And Well, Just Look At It

Okay, let's all take a moment to get our giggles out.

The Andean Cock-of-the-rock is a very cool bird with beautiful bright colors.

It's also a bird with that name and a head/neck that looks like a bright, red... joystick.

I know what you thought I was going to say, and yes... but I didn't, because I am a professional.

Instagram | @rainforest_photo_tours

(Sort of.)

The Andean Cock-of-the-rock is found in the Andean cloud forests of South America, and is even unofficially regarded as the national bird of Peru.

Contrary to what its plumage might say, these birds are actually quite shy.

Instagram | @blairshier

Usually, the easiest way to see them is by hiring a guide during mating season and being led to one of the gatherings where male birds display themselves for females.

Their mating call is described as a "piglike squeal" and that is not helping me take this bird seriously.

Instagram | @wenbochenphoto

They come in bright shades of red or orange, the latter being a bit less off-putting in my opinion.

The Andean variant is one of only two Cock-of-the-rock species.

Instagram | @johnlbi.123

The other is the Guianan Cock-of-the-rock, which lives in the more eastern regions of South America and is a more solid, day-glo orange color.

They also have a more obvious fan shape to their head, which helps fight the sillier mental image.

Luckily, neither of the species is currently endangered. So we can enjoy their beauty and giggle at it too without feeling guilty.

h/t: Ecuador & Galapagos Insiders

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