The flame-crested manakin, or flame-crowned manakin, is a species of bird in the family Pipridae. It is found in Bolivia, Brazil, and Peru.
Region
Southwestern Amazon Basin
Typical Environment
Occurs in lowland tropical moist forests of Bolivia, Brazil, and Peru, especially in riverine and seasonally flooded edges, young secondary growth, and vine-laden thickets. It favors light gaps and forest margins near waterways where small fruiting plants are abundant. Often keeps within the understory and lower midstory. Local presence can be patchy, tied to suitable river-edge and disturbed-forest microhabitats.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 600 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The flame-crested (flame-crowned) manakin is a small Amazonian manakin notable for the male’s fiery orange crown used in display. Males gather at leks to perform rapid, mechanical displays with wing snaps and darting flights. It keeps low in the understory of humid forests near rivers, often in vine tangles and edge thickets. Although local in distribution, it is currently not considered globally threatened.
Temperament
secretive and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with quick perch-to-perch dashes
Social Behavior
Males form small leks where they display on low perches with hops, sprints, and wing snaps to attract females. Females are solitary when nesting and rear the young alone. Nests are typically small cups placed low in dense understory. Outside breeding, individuals may associate loosely with mixed-species understory flocks.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are thin, high-pitched whistles interspersed with buzzy notes. Displays include distinctive mechanical snaps produced by the wings. Calls carry softly through the understory and can be easy to miss.
Plumage
Male is mostly dark with a vivid flame-orange to reddish crown/crest; compact with short tail and glossy body. Female is olive-green with paler underparts and a more subdued appearance. Both sexes have a short, stubby bill typical of manakins.
Diet
Primarily small fruits and berries from understory shrubs and small trees. It supplements with small arthropods, gleaned from foliage or taken during short sallies. Fruit selection often follows seasonal availability and understory fruiting peaks. Feeding is typically solitary or in loose association with other understory birds.
Preferred Environment
Forages low in the forest, along edges, vine tangles, and riverine thickets where small fruiting plants are concentrated. Frequently uses light gaps and secondary growth near watercourses.
