Screaming piha



The screaming piha (Lipaugus vociferans) is a species of passerine bird in the family Cotingidae. It is found in humid forests in the Amazon and tropical parts of the Mata Atlântica in South America. They are most notable for their extraordinarily loud voice.

Distribution and habitat
The screaming piha is a common bird in the middle and lower parts of the canopy at altitudes below about 500 m, or up to 1000 m in Venezuela and the Andean foothills.

Description
The screaming piha grows to a length of about 25 cm. Both sexes have dull grey plumage (wings and tail often somewhat duskier) and the underparts are paler grey. Juveniles are grey tinged with brown or rust.

Behavior and ecology
The screaming piha is an elusive bird despite its distinctive voice, remaining still for long periods and blending in with tree branches. It is usually solitary, but may sometimes join a mixed species foraging group.

Diet and feeding
Screaming pihas feed mainly on fruits, but also consumes insects, sometimes flying out from its perch to pluck a fruit or catch an insect in the air with a trogon-like hover.

Vocalizations and mimicry
The call of the screaming piha is extraordinarily loud, reaching 116 dB, second only to that of the white bellbird. In the breeding season, up to ten males may gather in loose leks, where they sing to attract females. The sound is frequently used in movies as a sound typical of the Amazon rainforest.

Status and conservation
The screaming piha is adapting well to human settlement areas like gardens and parks, and is considered to be of least concern by BirdLife International.