The pale-bellied tyrant-manakin is a species of bird in the family Pipridae, the manakins. It is found in Brazil, Guyana, and possibly Bolivia.
Region
Amazon Basin and Guiana Shield
Typical Environment
Occurs in lowland tropical forests of northern Amazonia, recorded in Brazil and Guyana and possibly extending into adjacent Bolivia. It inhabits shaded understory and midstory of mature terra firme forest, white-sand (campinarana) forests, and quiet forest edges. The species also uses second-growth thickets and vine tangles, especially where fruiting shrubs are available.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 800 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A small, cryptic manakin of the forest understory, it lacks the bright colors typical of many relatives in the Pipridae. It is most often detected by its soft, high-pitched calls rather than by sight. As a primarily frugivorous species, it helps disperse seeds across lowland tropical forests.
Temperament
shy and unobtrusive
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats between low perches
Social Behavior
Typically solitary or in pairs in dense understory, sometimes accompanying mixed-species flocks. Males may use low display perches with simple hops and short flights rather than elaborate communal lekking. Nest is a small cup suspended low, and the female provides most parental care.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are soft and high-pitched, consisting of thin tseep notes and brief wheezy trills. Songs and calls are given intermittently from concealed perches, making the bird easier to hear than to see.
