The blue manakin or swallow-tailed manakin is a small species of bird in the family Pipridae. It is found mainly in the Atlantic Forest of south-eastern Brazil, eastern Paraguay and far north-eastern Argentina. Its typical habitat is wet lowland or montane forest and heavily degraded former forest. Males have a bright blue body, black head wings and tail and a red crown. Females and juveniles are olive-green. At breeding time, males are involved in lekking behaviour when they sing and dance to impress females. This is a common species with a wide range, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature has rated its conservation status as being of "least concern".Blue Back Manakins are widely found in the Main Ridge Forest Reserve on the Caribbean Island Tobago.
Region
Atlantic Forest of southeastern South America
Typical Environment
Occurs primarily in the Atlantic Forest of southeastern Brazil, extending into eastern Paraguay and far northeastern Argentina (Misiones). It inhabits humid lowland and foothill forests, forest edges, and secondary growth, and will use well-vegetated ravines and riparian corridors. The species favors dense understory to midstory strata with abundant fruiting shrubs and small trees. It tolerates some habitat disturbance and can persist in degraded or regrown forest patches, provided fruit resources remain available.
Altitude Range
0–1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Also called the swallow-tailed manakin, this species is famed for its coordinated male lek dances, where two or more males perform synchronized hops, wing-snaps, and whistles to court a female. Males are dazzling blue with a red cap, while females are olive-green and do all nesting and chick-rearing alone. It is a forest frugivore that plays a role in seed dispersal in the Atlantic Forest. Often confused with the blue-backed manakin (Chiroxiphia pareola), which occurs in northern South America and Tobago.
Blue manakin feeding
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Males gather at leks and perform coordinated courtship displays, often in pairs or small groups, to attract visiting females. After mating, females build a small cup nest in the understory or midstory and raise the young alone. Outside the breeding season, birds may forage in loose groups and occasionally join mixed-species flocks.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Displays include clear, thin whistles interspersed with soft buzzes and mechanical wing-snaps. Vocalizations are repeated in rhythmic sequences during courtship, with duet-like timing between displaying males.
