Swallow-tailed Manakin
Chiroxiphia caudata
A very common inhabitant of humid forests. Small chunky manakin with elongated central tail feathers. Males are unmistakable with their blue bodies, black wings and head, and red crown. Females are uniformly green with a dark eye and pale legs and bill. Very noisy at the display lek where males can be heard from a long way off delivering soft “kua-a-a-a” notes.
Identification
At a length of around 15 cm (5.9 in) and a weight of around 25.6 g (0.90 oz), this small sparrow-sized bird may be the largest species within the diminutive manakin family. Formerly, the name "swallow-tailed manakin" was used widely, but as it is misleading (the tail is unlike that of any swallow), this name has largely been abandoned for "superior blue manakin". As suggested by this common name, the male is – by far – the manakin with most blue to the plumage. The entire body is bright blue, while the wings, tail and head, except for the red cap, are black. The far duller female is greenish-brown overall. Both sexes have elongated central rectrices.<p>Juvenile males resemble the adult female, but gradually develop first the red crown, then the black face-sides, and finally the remaining plumage of the adult male. The males form leks, typically consisting of a single adult and two sub-adult males, where they sing and "dance" to attract females. This was shown in the BBC's The Life of Birds documentary series. Due to the pronounced hypergamous nature of its females, up to 90% of male blue manakins never mate.
Taxonomy
Genus: Chiroxiphia; Family: Pipridae; Order: Passeriformes.
- Scientific name
- Chiroxiphia caudata
- Authority
- (Shaw, 1793)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Pipridae
- Genus
- Chiroxiphia
Range and habitat
This bird is found in north-eastern Argentina, southern and south-eastern Brazil, and Paraguay. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest, subtropical or tropical moist montane forest, and heavily degraded former forest. It is generally common in the appropriate habitats within its range.<p>One to five males live within an area of 100 meters^2, consisting of one alpha male, one beta male, and a few gamma males. Each area has four to six display perches which are horizontal vines, branches, or lianas one meter off the ground. The main display arena is cleaned by the alpha and beta males by removing moss, leaves, or twigs from the perch, making it appear whiter.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: stable.
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Zimmer's Tody-Tyrant
Hemitriccus minimus
Very small flycatcher with a long thin bill and yellow eyes. Brownish-olive above and olive-buff below with indistinct dusky streaks. Note the two distinct yellow wingbars. Found mostly in forests on poor-quality soils, such as white-sand forests. The song is a ringing trill “Trieeee.” Similar to Snethlage’s Tody-Tyrant, but Zimmer’s has more distinct wingbars and a very different song.
Matinan Flycatcher
Eumyias sanfordi
A chunky, drab flycatcher with a heavy hooked bill. Has a gray head with indistinct pale marking around the eye. Warmer olive-brown above with rufous-tinged tail, wings, and rump; underparts pale gray. Juvenile grayish with bold speckling on the chest. Inhabits understory of montane forest. Restricted to northern Sulawesi. Lacks the white belly of female Blue-and-white Flycatcher and the yellow belly of Sulphur-bellied Whistler. Short, melodious song is a burst of jumbled warbling notes that regularly rises and falls in pitch.
Boulder Finch
Idiopsar brachyurus
Gray finch-like bird with an oddly elongated bill. It is only found in boulder fields and other rocky areas of the high Andes, usually above treeline. Females are browner than males, and young birds are faintly streaked. Long bill and white smudge below eye distinguish it from Plumbeous Sierra Finch. Always found on or near rocks, and often perches with its head tilted upward.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.