The olive manakin is a species of bird in the family Pipridae. It is found in Brazil, Guyana, and Venezuela.
Region
Guiana Shield and northern Amazonia
Typical Environment
Occurs in humid evergreen forests of northern South America, especially within the Guiana Shield spanning northern Brazil, Guyana, and Venezuela. It favors forest edges, riverine corridors, light gaps, and foothill forests, where small fruiting trees and vines are abundant. Birds typically use the lower to mid-story but may ascend to the subcanopy when feeding. It is generally local and uncommon, but can be more easily encountered where fruit resources are concentrated.
Altitude Range
100–1600 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The olive manakin is a small, uniformly olive-green manakin of the Guiana Shield, often overlooked due to its subdued coloration. Unlike many of its more flamboyant relatives, it has modest displays and a quiet voice, making it easier to detect by careful listening. It frequents shaded forest interiors and edges, darting between perches with rapid, direct flights. Pairs or small groups sometimes join mixed-species flocks along forest edges and streamside vegetation.
Temperament
quiet and unobtrusive
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually found singly, in pairs, or small groups; may join mixed-species flocks at forest edges and along streams. Courtship is modest compared to showier manakins, with simple perch-to-perch movements and soft snapping sounds. Nesting involves a small cup nest placed low to mid-level in dense vegetation; the female is thought to handle most nesting duties.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Gives soft, thin whistles and high tseet notes, often delivered from shaded perches. Vocalizations are quiet and easily missed, serving more for close-range contact than long-distance advertisement.
Plumage
Mostly uniform, smooth olive-green plumage with minimal contrast; slightly paler underparts and throat may be seen in good light.
Diet
Primarily consumes small fruits and berries from understory shrubs, vines, and small trees. It occasionally supplements its diet with small arthropods gleaned from foliage or taken in short sallies. Feeding bouts are brief but frequent, with birds moving rapidly between fruiting plants.
Preferred Environment
Forages along forest edges, light gaps, and stream margins where fruiting resources are concentrated. Also uses the shaded lower and mid-story of mature rainforest for both foraging and cover.
