The velvety manakin is a species of bird in the family Pipridae. It is found in Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Panama.
Region
Central America and Chocó bioregion
Typical Environment
Occurs from southeastern Costa Rica through Panama into western Colombia and northwestern Ecuador, mainly in humid lowland and foothill forests. It favors mature rainforest understory but also uses forest edges and well-vegetated secondary growth with abundant fruiting plants. Males often display in small clearings or along shaded stream courses within the understory. It can persist in selectively logged forests if fruit resources remain available. Human-altered landscapes with tall second growth may also be used locally.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Velvety manakins are small, vividly dimorphic members of the Pipridae: males are mostly jet-black with a bright blue crown, while females are olive-green. Like many manakins, males gather at leks where they perform rapid hops, wing snaps, and short display flights to attract females. They feed largely on small fruits and act as important seed dispersers in tropical forests. The species is non-migratory and typically keeps to the shaded understory.
Temperament
shy in dense understory, more conspicuous at leks
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with brief, direct flights
Social Behavior
Males form small leks where each defends a tiny display court and performs rapid hops, wing snaps, and brief fluttering flights. Courtship is polygynous; females select mates and then handle nesting and chick rearing alone. Nests are small, delicate cups placed low in the understory or along slender branches.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are a series of thin, high-pitched tseet notes and soft whistles, interspersed with mechanical wing snaps during displays. Calls are often subtle and can be ventriloquial in dense forest, making the species easier to hear than to see.
