Manakin facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Manakins
Male long-tailed manakin (Chiroxiphia linearis)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Passeriformes
Parvorder:	Tyrannida
Family:	Pipridae Rafinesque, 1815
Species
Many, see text
Manakin range

Manakins are a family of small, colorful birds called Pipridae. There are 55 different kinds, or species, of manakins. You can find them across the tropical parts of America. The name "manakin" comes from an old Dutch word meaning "little man."

What are Manakins Like?

Manakins are small birds, usually between 7 and 15 centimeters (about 3 to 6 inches) long. They weigh about 8 to 30 grams (less than an ounce). They are compact birds with short tails and wide, rounded wings. They also have big heads and short beaks.

Most manakins show a cool difference between males and females. This is called sexual dichromatism. Females and young males are usually a dull green color. But adult males are often mostly black with bright patches of color. Some males even have long, fancy tail or head feathers!

Manakins have a special "voicebox" called a syrinx. It helps them make unique sounds like whistles, trills, and buzzes. Each type of manakin has its own special sounds.

Where Do Manakins Live?

Manakins live in many places, from southern Mexico all the way to northern Argentina, Paraguay, and southern Brazil. You can also find them on the islands of Trinidad and Tobago.

These birds love trees! They almost always live in forests and woodlands. Most manakins prefer warm, wet tropical forests. But some live in drier forests or along rivers. A few species even live in the mountains, like the Andes. Some of these mountain manakins move to different heights depending on the season.

Manakin Life and Habits

Feeding Habits

Manakins usually find their food in the lower parts of the forest. They mostly eat small fruit, like berries. Sometimes, these fruits are quite big for such small birds! They also eat some insects. Manakins often catch fruit while flying, similar to how some birds catch insects in the air. Scientists think this means they might have evolved from birds that mainly ate insects.

Female manakins have large areas where they look for food. They don't always keep other manakins away from their space. Males, however, spend a lot of time together at special places where they try to attract females. Sometimes, manakins will even join other types of birds to feed together.

Reproduction

Many manakin species have amazing courtship dances! These special shows are called "lekking" rituals. The males perform for the females. Each type of manakin has its own unique dance and sounds. They might jump, bow, vibrate their wings, snap their wings, or fly in acrobatic ways.

Some manakins, like the Club-winged manakin, have special wing feathers. They use these feathers to make buzzing and snapping sounds during their dances. Other manakins can move their wings super fast to create sounds!

After the courtship, the female manakin does all the work. She builds a cup-shaped nest, usually low in the plants. She then lays two eggs, which are usually dull white with brown marks. She sits on the eggs for about 18 to 21 days until they hatch. Then, she takes care of the young birds for another 13 to 15 days. Most manakins don't stay together as a pair after mating.

Species List

The manakin family, Pipridae, was first described by a French scientist named Constantine Samuel Rafinesque in 1815. Here are some of the different types of manakins:

Image	Genus	Living Species
	Pseudopipra Kirwan et al, 2016	White-crowned manakin, Pseudopipra pipra
	Pipra Linnaeus, 1764	Crimson-hooded manakin, Pipra aureola (also known as orange-headed manakin) Band-tailed manakin, Pipra fasciicauda Wire-tailed manakin, Pipra filicauda
	Ceratopipra Bonaparte, 1854	Golden-headed manakin, Ceratopipra erythrocephala Red-capped manakin, Ceratopipra mentalis Red-headed manakin, Ceratopipra rubrocapilla Round-tailed manakin, Ceratopipra chloromeros Scarlet-horned manakin, Ceratopipra cornuta
	Lepidothrix Bonaparte, 1854	Velvety manakin, Lepidothrix velutina Blue-capped manakin, Lepidothrix coronata Blue-rumped manakin, Lepidothrix isidorei Cerulean-capped manakin, Lepidothrix coeruleocapilla Snow-capped manakin, Lepidothrix nattereri Golden-crowned manakin, Lepidothrix vilasboasi Opal-crowned manakin, Lepidothrix iris Orange-bellied manakin, Lepidothrix suavissima White-fronted manakin, Lepidothrix serena
	Chiroxiphia Cabanis, 1847	Helmeted manakin, Chiroxiphia galeata Araripe manakin, Chiroxiphia bokermanni Long-tailed manakin, Chiroxiphia linearis Lance-tailed manakin, Chiroxiphia lanceolata Blue-backed manakin, Chiroxiphia pareola Yungas manakin, Chiroxiphia boliviana Blue manakin, Chiroxiphia caudata
	Ilicura L. Reichenbach, 1850	Pin-tailed manakin, Ilicura militaris
	Masius Bonaparte, 1850	Golden-winged manakin, Masius chrysopterus
	Corapipo Bonaparte, 1854	White-bibbed manakin, Corapipo leucorrhoa White-ruffed manakin, Corapipo altera White-throated manakin, Corapipo gutturalis
	Manacus Brisson, 1760	White-collared manakin, Manacus candei Orange-collared manakin, Manacus aurantiacus Golden-collared manakin, Manacus vitellinus White-bearded manakin, Manacus manacus
	Machaeropterus Hahn, 1819	Club-winged manakin, Machaeropterus deliciosus Kinglet manakin, Machaeropterus regulus Striolated manakin, Machaeropterus striolatus Painted manakin, Machaeropterus eckelberryi Fiery-capped manakin, Machaeropterus pyrocephalus
	Xenopipo Cabanis, 1847	Black manakin, Xenopipo atronitens Olive manakin, Xenopipo uniformis
	Cryptopipo Ohlson et al., 2013	Green manakin, Cryptopipo holochlora Choco manakin, Cryptopipo litae
	Chloropipo Cabanis & Heine, 1859	Yellow-headed manakin, Chloropipo flavicapilla Jet manakin, Chloropipo unicolor
	Heterocercus Strickland, 1850	Flame-crested manakin, Heterocercus linteatus Orange-crested manakin, Heterocercus aurantiivertex Yellow-crested manakin, Heterocercus flavivertex
	Neopelma P.L. Sclater, 1861	Saffron-crested tyrant-manakin, Neopelma chrysocephalum Sulphur-bellied tyrant-manakin, Neopelma sulphureiventer Pale-bellied tyrant-manakin, Neopelma pallescens Wied's tyrant-manakin, Neopelma aurifrons Serra do Mar tyrant-manakin, Neopelma chrysolophum
	Tyranneutes P.L. Sclater & Salvin, 1881	Dwarf tyrant-manakin, Tyranneutes stolzmanni Tiny tyrant-manakin, Tyranneutes virescens