The white-ruffed manakin is a sub-oscine (Tyranni), passerine bird in the manakin family. It is a resident breeder in the tropical New World from eastern Honduras to northwestern Colombia. Its typical habitat is wet forest, adjacent clearings and tall secondary growth. It is a small, plump bird about 10 centimetres (4 in) long. Males have glossy blue-black plumage with a white erectile ruff on the throat and females are green. 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.
Region
Central America and the Chocó of northwestern Colombia
Typical Environment
Occurs from eastern Honduras through Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama to northwestern Colombia. Prefers humid lowland and foothill evergreen forests, forest edges, and tall secondary growth. Often concentrated along streams, in light gaps, and at fruiting trees or shrubs. Common in well-shaded understory and lower midstory, especially where dense saplings provide display courts.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Males perform elaborate lek displays on or near the forest floor, puffing out a striking white throat ruff and producing audible wing snaps. This manakin is primarily a fruit-eater and acts as a valuable seed disperser in wet tropical forests. It is often inconspicuous away from leks, moving quickly through shaded understory tangles.
Temperament
secretive and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Males gather at leks where each maintains a small court on the ground or low saplings and performs display hops, puffs the white ruff, and makes wing snaps. The species is polygynous; females alone build a small cup nest and rear the young. Away from leks, individuals are usually solitary or in loose association near fruiting plants.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations include soft, thin whistles and buzzy notes; much of the display is accompanied by mechanical wing snaps and rustling sounds. Calls are brief and often delivered from low, shaded perches.
