The painted manakin is a small South American species of passerine bird in the manakin family Pipridae. It was first described in 2017 from specimens collected in north west Peru. Painted manakin were initially seen in surveys of the Cordillera Azul in 1996, other research reveals the existence of female painted manakin in 1977.
Region
Northern Peruvian Amazon and Andean foothills
Typical Environment
Occurs in humid evergreen forest of the Cordillera Azul and adjacent foothills in northern Peru. It favors dense understory and vine tangles in terra firme and foothill forests, often near forest edges, small clearings, and along streams. The species is typically patchy in occurrence but can be locally fairly common where fruiting shrubs are abundant. It avoids heavily degraded habitats and open agricultural areas.
Altitude Range
200–1000 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Described as a distinct species in 2017 from northwestern Peru, the painted manakin was long overlooked within a complex of similar manakins. Males gather at leks where they perform rapid, acrobatic displays typical of the family. Like many manakins, it plays an important role in seed dispersal of understory fruiting plants.
Temperament
shy and active in dense understory
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Males display in loose leks, using rapid hops, short flights, and wing snaps to court visiting females. The species is polygynous; females alone build a small cup nest low in the understory and rear the young. Outside of leks it is usually solitary or in pairs, sometimes joining mixed-species flocks briefly.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are thin, high-pitched whistles and buzzy notes delivered from low perches. Males give rapid sequences during display, interspersed with soft mechanical wing sounds.
