The red-capped manakin is a species of bird in the family Pipridae. It is found in Belize, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Peru and Panama. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest.
Region
Central America to western Colombia and Ecuador
Typical Environment
Occupies subtropical and tropical moist lowland forests from southeastern Mexico through Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama into western Colombia and northwestern Ecuador. Prefers mature forest understory, but also uses edges, gaps, and well-developed secondary growth where fruiting shrubs and small trees are abundant. Often found along shaded streams and in ravines where display courts are maintained. Sensitive to extensive deforestation but can persist in forest fragments if understory structure remains.
Altitude Range
0–1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Famed for its courtship dance, the male performs rapid shuffles and a 'moonwalk' on display courts, accompanied by sharp wing snaps. Females are solely responsible for nest building and care, choosing display males based on their performance. This species inhabits the shaded understory of moist lowland forests and is most often detected by its mechanical display sounds. It was formerly placed in the genus Pipra.
Temperament
shy and secretive in the understory
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with quick darting flights
Social Behavior
A classic lekking species: males maintain small display courts on the forest floor or low perches and perform coordinated dances and wing snaps. Males are polygynous and provide no parental care. Females build small cup nests low in shrubs and raise the young alone.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are soft and sparse, but displays feature prominent mechanical wing snaps, buzzes, and clicks. Calls include thin whistles and buzzy notes that carry through the understory during courtship.
