Lepidothrix vilasboasi
The Golden-crowned Manakin, Lepidothrix vilasboasi, is a jewel of the Amazonian understory, measuring a mere 9-10 cm in length and weighing approximately 9-10 grams. Males are stunning with a velvety black body, a brilliant golden-yellow crown, a contrasting white throat patch, and a striking azure-blue back. Females, in typical manakin fashion, are much more subdued, sporting an entirely dull green plumage with a slightly paler belly, providing camouflage in the dense forest. This pronounced...
Found exclusively in the understory and mid-story of humid, non-flooded (terra firme) lowland Amazonian rainforest, generally below 500 meters elevation.
Primarily frugivorous, consuming small fruits and berries, especially from Melastomataceae and Rubiaceae plants, supplemented with small insects and spiders gleaned from foliage.
Golden-crowned Manakins are diurnal and typically solitary outside of breeding interactions, preferring the lower strata of the forest. Males are famous for their elaborate lekking displays, gathering at traditional communal sites where 2-4 individuals perform acrobatic shows for visiting females...
The Golden-crowned Manakin is endemic to a restricted region of the southern Amazon Basin in Brazil. Its primary range is found in the interfluvial area between the lower Tapajós and lower Xingu Rivers, predominantly within the states of Pará and Amazonas. This distribution extends southwards int...
Least Concern
- Named in honor of Orlando Villas-Bôas, a famed Brazilian explorer and ethnologist known for his work in the Amazon. - Males possess highly specialized wing feathers that produce distinct buzzing or snapping sounds during their elaborate courtship dances. - The brilliant golden crown is a key fe...