Cock-of-the-Rock is the familiar name for both the rupicola rupicola and rupicola peruvianus - both large, brightly coloured South American birds. The former, also known as the Guianan Cock-of-the-Rock was described by Swedish botanist Carl Linneaus in 1766.

The generic and specific names are derived from the Latin, rupes: 'rock' or 'cliff' and cola: 'inhabiting', which expresses its habit of nesting on rock walls or cliff faces rather than in trees. Its preferred habitats are hmid forests near rocky outcrops in sub-tropical areas.

The eye-catching male bird sports an impressive crest of bright orange-red head feathers which blend seamlessly into a body of the same colour. The colours of the female are more subtle.

The female lays one or two eggs per batch in a nest composed of mud and plant material, which is attached to a vertical rock using saliva. The diet consists mainly of fruit but also includes small repitles and amphibia such as snakes, lizards and frogs. Male Guianan cock-of-the-rock "delight in homosexuality" with almost 40% reported to engage in in a form of same-sex activity and a small percentage never mating with females. 

The natural enemies of the cock-of-the-rock include the ocelot, eagles and snakes.