Lepidothrix iris
The Opal-crowned Manakin (Lepidothrix iris) is a strikingly beautiful and diminutive passerine bird, endemic to the Atlantic Forest of eastern Brazil. Males are instantly recognizable by their brilliant emerald-green plumage, contrasting sharply with a spectacular, highly iridescent opalescent white or silvery crown that shimmers with various hues depending on the light angle, an unmistakable field mark. Measuring approximately 9.5 to 10 cm (3.7-3.9 inches) in length and weighing between 8 to...
This species primarily inhabits the humid evergreen forests of the Atlantic Forest biome, favoring the understory and mid-story layers. It is typically found from lowland to submontane elevations, generally below 1,000 meters (3,300 feet).
Their diet consists predominantly of small fruits, especially berries from the Melastomataceae and Rubiaceae families, supplemented by small insects and spiders. They often employ a 'flycatcher of fruit' foraging technique, snatching items in short aerial sallies.
Opal-crowned Manakins are diurnal and spend much of their time foraging actively or displaying in the forest understory. Males are famous for their elaborate courtship ritual, known as lekking, where they gather at specific sites to perform complex, acrobatic displays to attract females. These di...
The Opal-crowned Manakin is strictly endemic to the Atlantic Forest biome of eastern Brazil. Its distribution spans across several states, including Bahia, Espírito Santo, Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro, and São Paulo. This species is a year-round resident throughout its range, exhibiting no migrat...
Least Concern
- The male's 'opal' crown is not pigmented but owes its dazzling iridescence to the microscopic structure of its feathers, scattering light like a prism. - Opal-crowned Manakins are part of a group of birds famous for their 'lekking' behavior, where males gather to perform competitive displays. -...