Kingdom animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class birds
Order Passerines
Family Cotingidae
Gender Proknia
Araponga is the name given to birds of the genus Procnias. The main characteristic of this animal is the high and strident singing, with metallic timbres and sound similar to the hammering of the blacksmith on the anvil (listen in this video). They are medium sized, usually not reaching thirty centimeters. They feed on fruits.
Such animals reach adulthood about two years after their birth. Males become very territorial and attract females with their beautiful plumage and singing. There is a mating ritual, before the act itself. At each reproductive season, which occurs at the end of the year, the female releases two eggs; and puppies are born in about 30 days. They alone build nests, and they are also solely responsible for the initial care of their offspring. The average life expectancy is twelve years.
This genus houses four species, three of which are found in Brazil:
- Amazonian Araponga (albus proknia)
, found in French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname, Venezuela, Trinidad and Tobago, and Brazil (in Amazonas, in the Rio Negro region). Conservation status, according to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN): minimal risk of extinction (least concern, LC).
- Northeastern Araponga (averan proknia), found in Colombia, Guyana, Venezuela, Trinidad and Tobago and Brazil (in Roraima and the Northeast). Conservation status, according to IUCN: minimal risk of extinction (least concern, LC).
- Common Araponga, or blacksmith (nudicolli proknia), found in Argentina, Paraguay and Brazil (in coastal forests from Bahia to Rio Grande do Sul). Conservation status, according to IUCN: vulnerable (LC).
- Araponga-do-nicaragua (Trirunculata proknia), found in Costa Rica, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama. Conservation status, according to IUCN: vulnerable (LC).
CURIOSITIES:
Males of these species vocalize on a higher branch of the tree they live on, and reproduce on a lower branch; hard defending such territories.
Illegal capture, due to the beauty and song of the birds, and the destruction of habitats are the main factors that affect the populations of spiders.
Such animals are excellent seed disseminators, releasing them along with feces, after feeding on the fruits.
By Mariana Araguaia
Graduated in Biology
