Questions about a Lek of Andean Cock of the Rock. (1 Viewer)

[pprioverde]

I have recently found a Lek of Andean Cock-of-the-rock about 2 hours walk from where I live.
I have been back there 3 times at the same time in the afternoon and there has been a group of what I guess might be 10 or more males displaying for females. I can usually see 3 or 4 but from the sound I know there are more.
So far I have got as close as 30m where one spotted me and came in for a closer look. I waited and he moved back to the Lek after a few minutes.

So my questions.

Can anyone share their experience on observing Leks?

How permanent is the Andean Cock-of-the-rocks Lek? Is it seasonal or do the males court year round?

If I make my approaches gradually closer will they get used to me?

Do they have a sense of smell, or is silence and camouflage enough?

thanks, Marc.

 

[ovenbird43]

Here's my shot at answering your questions:

I've only visited a lek once, the one on Angel Paz's reserve. He has a wooden blind (hide) set up a little distance away from the lek (maybe 25-30 meters), and guests approach the lek before first light to await the dawn and the start of the courtship.

I don't know how close one can get to these birds without disturbing them, if you want to approach close then the best option may be to construct some sort of hide.

As far as I know the courtship is seasonal... it may occur sporadically year-round but there are certainly peaks. Locals can probably tell you with more certainty.

With regard to smell, most birds have a poorly-developed sense of smell, and most don't use it to detect predators, so certainly silence and camouflage are far more important in avoiding disturbance.

 

[lmans66]

I have been to Angel Paz and came away empty handed but have seen other Leks further towards Mindo. You can get close but it usually is by accident. The last I walked the Lek I had on two different occasions the Cock of the Rock fly out in front of me on the trail. In both cases they landed on the other side of the trail and just sat in a tree, not 10 meters from me...real close. Of course, the minute you move to grab a camera, they fly away so my thinking is that if you sit and wait, perhaps they will come by in the early morning hours...but not as the afternoon wears on.

My thinking is also that 'rain' showers or the afternoon downpours help as there is so much movement in the forest that it confuses the birds and it is easier to view them during a shower than a clear day.

Best of luck.... jim

 

[temmie]

If you have 10 males, consider it to be a well-established lek.
Best would be to build a hide. Try not to disturb the birds by trying them to get used to your presence (would be my tactics). Enjoy the beauty of the lekking birds!

 

[pprioverde]

Thanks so much for you answers everyone. I've had another successful visit in the afternoon, and two more unsuccessful trips in the rain. So far they seem to prefer cloudy even foggy, but not rainy weather. In fact on the foggy day I saw the most activity. I have not been up there on a sunny day yet.

Quite often you will see the Andean Cock of the Rock on the trail while walking up to the Lek. We also have one individual that visits our gardens to feed on Heliconia berries. I have also seen the several Cock of the Rock in large a mixed flock along with Red Rumped Cacique and Inca Jay.

I am yet to try to get up there in the morning but I will, and will also look at building a hide.

Thanks again, Marc.