#manakins

Decembirb 6 - White-Throated Manakin

Photo: Nick Athanas

"Male Lance-tailed Manakins form long-term two-male alliances. Partners perch side-by-side in tall trees to sing duet songs. When a female approaches, they perform a dance of coordinated leaps and butterfly-like flights on the display perch. Displays that happen right before copulation are often performed only by the alpha male, but if both males are present the beta male typically leaves the area several minutes before the final stages of courtship and mating. The most eye-catching display is the 'backwards leapfrog' in which the two males leap alternately over one another as the female watches at close range."

Golden-collared Manakin Manacus vitellinus

7/12/2024 Caldas, Colombia

Hummingbirds are famous for their rapid flight-- most individuals can beat their wings about 60 times a second. However, there is one bird out there that's even faster: the red-capped manakin. As part of their mating dance, males of this species quickly rub their wings against their tail to generate a snapping sound. To do this, they have to beat their wings at a rate of nearly 80 times per second!

Check out ornithologist Dr. Kim Bostwick explain the mechanics behind this unique behavior:

Long Tailed Manakin

Chiroxiphia linearis