The white-collared manakin is a passerine bird in the manakin family. It is a resident breeder in the tropical New World from southeastern Mexico to Costa Rica and the extreme west of Panama. It typically inhabits thickets at the edges of moist forest, tall secondary growth and old cacao plantations. It is a small, plump bird about 11 centimetres (4.3 in) long. Males have a black crown, mid-back band, wings and tail, an olive-green rump and yellow belly. Females and juveniles are olive-green with yellow bellies and resemble female orange-collared manakins. At breeding time, males are involved in lekking behaviour on the forest floor during which they puff out their neck feathers. This is a fairly common species with a wide range, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature has rated its conservation status as being of "least concern".
Region
Central America
Typical Environment
Occurs from southeastern Mexico through Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras into Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and extreme western Panama, mainly on the Caribbean slope. Prefers edges of moist lowland forest, tall secondary growth, vine tangles, and old cacao or shade-coffee plantations. Frequently uses thickets along streams and light gaps where fruiting shrubs are common. It keeps to the understory and lower midstory, moving quickly between perches. Leks are typically on or near the forest floor in relatively open patches within dense cover.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1000 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Males perform energetic lek displays on the forest floor, producing sharp wing-snaps and puffing their white collars to impress females. They often use well-kept display courts cleared of leaf litter. Despite their bright showmanship, they are shy away from leks and keep to dense thickets. They play an important role in seed dispersal for many understory plants.
Juvenile
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Males gather in leks where each defends a small display court, performing rapid hops and wing-snaps to attract visiting females. Nests are small shallow cups suspended low in shrubs or saplings, built and attended by the female alone. Outside the breeding season, birds may forage loosely in small groups in the understory.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations include sharp ticks and buzzes; much of the display sound is mechanical, produced by rapid wing-snaps and bill clicks. Calls are concise, repeated notes that carry through dense vegetation.
