I guess many people have one special bird they would very much like to see. Some folks think a bird of paradise would be outstanding; others would prefer a puffin. For me, I was for a long time fixated on seeing an Andean cock-of-the-rock.

The national bird of Peru, the cock-of-the-rock is one beautiful creature. The male has a bright red-orange body, a jet-black tail, and head feathers that resemble a Roman battle helmet. It is called a cock-of-the-rock because it often nests among rocks on clif...