The manakins are a family of some sixty small passerine bird species of subtropical and tropical mainland Central and South America, and Trinidad and Tobago.
Description:
These are compact forest birds, the males typically being brightly colored, although the females of most species are duller and usually green-plumaged.
Diet / Feeding:
Manakins feed on small fruits, berries and insects.
Sub-species:
- Araripe Manakins
- Band-tailed Manakins (Pipra fascilicauda)
- Blue-backed Manakins
- Club-winged Manakins
- Crimson-hooded Manakins
- Golden-headed Manakins
- Lance-tailed Manakins
- Long-tailed Manakins
- Orange-collared Manakins
- Orange-crested Manakins
- Red-capped Manakins
- Swallow-tailed Manakins
- White-bearded Manakins
- White-collared Manakins
- White-crowned Manakins
- White-fronted Manakins
- White-ruffed Manakins
- Wire-tailed Manakins
Breeding / Nesting:
Many manakin species have spectacular lekking courtship rituals, which are especially elaborate in the genus Pipra. Manakins make buzzing, snapping, and other sounds with their wings, which are heavily modified in two species (the White-collared and Orange-collared Manakins). Nest-building, incubation for 18-21 days, and care of the young are undertaken by the female alone, since manakins do not form stable pairs. The normally clutch is two eggs.
