manakin

Manakin is the common name for a group of small tropical birds in the family Pipridae, within the order Passeriformes. There are about 60 species of manakins, distributed from southern Mexico through Central and South America to the Amazon basin and the Caribbean. They inhabit forests and forest edges, from lowlands to montane regions, and are typically associated with dense vegetation.

Manakins are small passerines, usually less than 12 cm in length. Males are often bright and iridescent, with a variety of colors and morphological features, while females are generally more subdued, olive or brown. Their diet is primarily fruit, supplemented by insects and other arthropods, especially during the breeding season. They forage in trees and shrubs, often gleaning fruit and catching insects on the wing.

A notable aspect of manakin biology is their courtship behavior. Many species form leks, where males gather to perform elaborate displays intended to attract females, who visit the display sites to choose mates. After mating, the female typically builds a nest and raises the young on her own, with little or no paternal involvement. Vocalizations are common, and some species produce distinctive mechanical sounds during displays—for example, the club-winged manakin, which has modified wing feathers used to generate sounds in courtship.

Notable species include the blue-crowned manakin (Lepidothrix coronata). Habitat loss and fragmentation threaten some species, though many manakins remain relatively widespread.