Guianan Cock-of-the-rock
With the male ’ s brilliant orange colour , the Guianan Cockof-the-rock is a striking bird and often on top of the list for many birders . It is a proud attention-grabbing bird that is hard to miss . About 12 inches in size , the bird weighs around 250 grams , with fruits featuring as the major part of diet . Rocky cliffs are often chosen as nesting sites where you can often find the Guianan Cock-of-the-rock nesting in groups . Fortunately , Guyana has a healthy population of the species , especially in areas like Kaieteur National Park and other dense rainforests in the heart of the country . There are several known cock-of-the-rock nesting sites or leks , giving birders a decent chance of seeing males competing for female attention during the lekking season . The mating process is rather interesting . The females and males live separately and meet only to mate . The females fly over to observe and choose a mate . On selection , the females tap the males ’ rump to seek attention . Watching the birds interact is a rare experience indeed .
Harpy Eagle
The Harpy Eagle is one of the largest and most powerful raptors found in the rainforests of Guyana . It usually inhabits tropical lowland rainforests in the upper canopy of trees . They can be distinguished from others by their slate black feathers and a white underbelly . The double crest is another majestic feature of the Harpy Eagle . Since the plumage of the males and females are the same , it is difficult to identify the bird by gender . This bird can weigh up to 9 kilograms . With a wingspan of 6 feet , the harpy eagle is able to easily manoeuvre in forested habitats to get to prey like sloths , monkeys , and other mammals . As South America ’ s largest eagle , it is also known as the ‘ flying wolf ’. The Harpy Eagle can be found in the central forests of Guyana . Even though they are getting harder to spot , naturalists keep themselves abreast of nesting sites to show birders . Known nests exist at Surama , Rewa , Warapoka and the Kanuku Mountains .
Hoary-throated Spinetail
The vast Amazon basin is home to the Hoary-throated Spinetail species , which finds home in gallery forests surrounded by savannahs . Its small , fragmented and declining range has found it in the list of endangered species , even though ample can be seen in a limited range of habitat . The species is severely threatened by rapid conversion of the gallery forests into rice plantations .
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