Watch the spectacular mating dance of the Andean Cock-of-the-Rock in Manu, Peru.
Manu, located in the Peruvian Amazon is the premier destination in the world to watch the colorful, exquisite, and loud mating dance of the Andean Cock-of-the-Rock, Peru’s national bird. The males have a brilliant orange head and a prominent fan-shaped crest which makes them one of the most coveted birds to view in the Amazon and a must-see for anyone visiting the area.
Birdwatchers from all around the world travel especially to Manu to see this intricate mating dance, which happens twice per day year-round because of the abundance of the species in this special area. The dance is not to be missed, as the males spread their crest and engage in a hopping ritualistic seduction called lek in hopes of attracting an impressed female. Most people name this experience as one of the highlights of their travels through the Amazon, whether they are generally interested in bird watching or not.
The lodges in the area, such as the Manu Cloud Forest Lodge arrange special trips and guide guests to the best viewing sites in the Amazon. This often involves sunrise nature hikes to raised viewing platforms with spectacular aerial views of these vibrant birds. Manu is also popular because in addition to the Cock-of-the-Rock, travelers can find over 800 other bird species and 200 species of mammals like jaguars, spectacled birds, and endangered black caimans.
The incredible diversity in Manu is due to its topographical range and microclimates varying from 11,000 feet cloud forests to lowland forests along the Amazon River. Because of the fragility of the various eco-systems, Manu National park was declared both a biosphere reserve and a World Heritage site. The area is incredibly lush, with large ferns, orchids, bromeliads, and moss covering the trees which creates a picturesque and startling backdrop to the brilliantly colored tropical birds like the Cock-of-the-Roc and toucans. White water rafting, and hiking are also popular activities in addition to the world-class bird and wildlife watching.
This guide to watching the Andean Cock-of-the-Rock in Manu was written by a Peru travel expert at Peru For Less, here to help you design your Peru vacations.
