The cerulean-capped manakin is a species of bird in the family Pipridae. It is endemic to Peru.
Region
Peruvian Andean foothills
Typical Environment
Found in humid to wet montane and foothill forests on the eastern Andean slopes of central and northern Peru. It frequents the understory and midstory, especially along forest edges, ravines, and natural light gaps. Secondary growth and regenerating forest are also used when fruiting shrubs are available. It generally keeps to shaded, dense vegetation and can be overlooked despite its bright crown.
Altitude Range
500–1400 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This small manakin is notable for the male’s striking sky-blue crown set against a velvety black body, while females are olive and much more cryptic. Like many manakins, males gather at leks to perform acrobatic displays and wing snaps to attract females. It inhabits humid foothill forests on the eastern slopes of the Peruvian Andes.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Males display at small leks, performing quick hops and fluttering flights accompanied by mechanical wing snaps. Pair bonds are brief; females alone build a small cup nest and care for the young. Outside breeding, individuals may join mixed-species foraging flocks in the understory.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are soft, thin whistles interspersed with sharp ticks. Displaying males also produce distinctive non-vocal snaps and rustles with their wings during courtship.
Plumage
Male with velvety black body and a bright cerulean-blue crown; female olive-green above with paler underparts and subtle wing edging.
Diet
Primarily consumes small berries and drupes from understory shrubs and midstory trees. It often perches to pluck fruit and swallows them whole, later dispersing seeds. Insects and other small arthropods are occasionally taken to supplement its fruit-rich diet.
Preferred Environment
Feeds in shaded understory and midstory, along forest edges, trails, and natural gaps where fruiting plants are concentrated. Will also forage in secondary growth when fruit is abundant.
