The blue-backed manakin is a small passerine bird which breeds in tropical South America, its range extending from Colombia and Tobago to southeastern Brazil. It is found in deciduous forests but not evergreen rainforests. It is a small, plump bird about 13 centimetres (5 in) long. Males have black plumage with a bright blue back and a red or yellow crown. Females and juveniles are olive-green with paler underparts. At breeding time, males are involved in a cooperative lekking behaviour during which they jump and twirl. This is a fairly common species with a wide range, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature has rated its conservation status as being of "least concern".
Region
Northern and eastern South America, Trinidad and Tobago
Typical Environment
Occurs from eastern Colombia and Venezuela through the Guianas and northern Amazonia to northeastern and southeastern Brazil, and on Trinidad and Tobago. Prefers semi-deciduous and secondary forests, forest edges, gallery forest, and tall woodland. It typically avoids the dark interior of dense evergreen rainforest, favoring lighter understory and midstory with fruiting shrubs. Also uses older plantations and riparian corridors where fruit is abundant.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Males perform elaborate cooperative lek displays, with an alpha and beta male synchronizing jumps, twirls, and wing-snaps to attract females. Females choose mates at these leks and then nest and raise young alone. The species is primarily frugivorous and plays an important role in forest seed dispersal. It is widespread and fairly common across northern and eastern South America and on Trinidad and Tobago.
Temperament
secretive in foliage; males highly animated at leks
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with quick darts between perches
Social Behavior
Forms cooperative leks where an alpha male is assisted by a beta male in coordinated dance displays. Outside the lek, individuals are often solitary or in small loose groups in the midstory. The female builds a small, shallow cup nest suspended on a forked twig and provides all parental care. Clutch size is small, and nesting is typically within shaded understory.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are thin, high-pitched whistles and soft chee notes, often interspersed with mechanical wing-snaps during displays. Calls are brief and can be easily overlooked amid forest insect noise.
Plumage
Male is glossy black with a vivid sky-blue back and a contrasting bright crown; female and juvenile are uniform olive-green with paler underparts. Feathers are smooth and sleek, with males showing strong color contrast on the mantle. Tail is short and square; lacks elongated streamers.
Diet
Primarily small berries and other soft fruits, which are swallowed whole and later dispersed as seeds. Supplements diet with small insects and other arthropods, especially during breeding. Forages by short sallies and quick gleaning from perches in the understory and midstory. Often visits fruiting shrubs and trees repeatedly throughout the day.
Preferred Environment
Feeds along forest edges, light gaps, and secondary growth where fruiting plants are abundant. Uses midstory perches near riparian corridors and in semi-deciduous woodland.
