It contains seven species that are found in tropical rainforest in South and Central America from southern Mexico to south-east Brazil.

The males have highly colourful plumage; bright blue with areas of purple.

The blue colour is produced by air bubbles in the feathers which scatter light.

Females are much duller than males and are mainly brown, often with pale feather edges giving them a scaled or speckled appearance.

The genus Cotinga was introduced by the French zoologist Mathurin Jacques Brisson in 1760.