The tiny tyrant-manakin or tiny tyranneutes is a species of bird in the family Pipridae, the manakins. It is found in Brazil, French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname, and Venezuela.
Region
Guiana Shield and northern Amazon Basin
Typical Environment
Occurs in northern Brazil and the Guianas, extending into southern Venezuela. It inhabits humid lowland terra firme forest, often using edges, light gaps, and secondary growth close to mature forest. Most activity is in the shaded understory to midstory, typically within a few meters to about 10 m above ground. It also forages along creek margins and in vine tangles. Leks are usually in small, relatively open understory spots.
Altitude Range
0–800 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
One of the smallest manakins, the tiny tyrant-manakin is an inconspicuous understory bird of the Guiana Shield and northern Amazon. Males attend small leks where they perform quick hops and produce soft wing snaps rather than elaborate dances. Its thin, insect-like calls can be mistaken for insect noise. By eating small berries, it plays a role in seed dispersal in tropical forests.
Temperament
secretive and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with quick, darting flights through the understory
Social Behavior
Males gather in small leks where each defends a tiny display perch and performs brief hops, bows, and soft wing snaps to attract females. Females visit leks to choose mates and then nest solitarily. The nest is a small cup placed low in the understory.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are thin, high-pitched tseep and tsee notes, often delivered in short series. The calls are insect-like and can blend into background forest noise; display includes faint mechanical wing snaps.
