The kinglet manakin or eastern striped manakin is a small South American species of passerine bird in the manakin family Pipridae. It is endemic to Brazil.
Region
Eastern Brazil, Atlantic Forest
Typical Environment
Occurs in humid lowland and foothill Atlantic Forest, favoring dense understory and midstory strata. It uses primary forest as well as mature secondary growth and forest edges with abundant fruiting shrubs. Birds are often found along shaded streams, gullies, and vine tangles. It may also persist in traditional shade-cocoa (cabruca) and other semi-natural mosaics where forest cover remains.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The kinglet manakin, also called the eastern striped manakin, is a tiny fruit-eating bird of Brazil’s Atlantic Forest. Males gather at leks and perform short display flights with sharp wing snaps and thin whistles. It was formerly treated as conspecific with the western striped manakin (Machaeropterus striolatus) but is now recognized as a separate species. Its fine streaking and the male’s small red crown patch help distinguish it from other manakins.
Temperament
shy and secretive
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Males display at small leks, each defending a tiny perch and performing short flights with wing snaps and bows. Nesting is typically in a small cup low in the understory. Pairs or small groups are quiet outside the lek, and the species often joins mixed-species flocks while foraging.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are thin, high-pitched whistles given singly or in short series. Displays include sharp mechanical snaps and buzzes produced with the wings.
Plumage
Compact, finely streaked manakin with olive to greenish upperparts and yellowish streaks extending onto the underparts. The male shows a small, bright red crown patch that can be erected; the female lacks the crown and is duller. Wings and tail are dusky with a slight gloss; overall texture is sleek and close-feathered.
Diet
Primarily consumes small fruits and berries, especially from melastomes and other understory shrubs. Occasionally supplements its diet with small insects and spiders gleaned from foliage. Foraging is quick and deliberate, with short sallies and hover-gleaning around fruiting plants.
Preferred Environment
Feeds in the shaded understory and midstory at forest edges, along trails, and in vine tangles. Frequently visits fruiting shrubs in light gaps and along streams.
