Round-tailed Manakin

Ceratopipra chloromeros

The Round-tailed Manakin (*Ceratopipra chloromeros*) is a diminutive and strikingly beautiful passerine belonging to the Pipridae family, renowned for its dazzling sexual dimorphism and intricate courtship rituals. Males boast a glossy black plumage across most of their body, dramatically contrasted by a brilliant crimson-red cap extending from the forehead to the nape, and conspicuous white tufts on their thighs. They typically measure around 11-12 cm in length and weigh about 15-18 grams. F...

Habitat

This species inhabits the understory and midstory of humid tropical and subtropical lowland and foothill forests, typically found at elevations ranging from 400 to 1,500 meters. It favors areas with dense vegetation, often near forest edges or clearings within continuous forest.

Diet

The Round-tailed Manakin primarily feeds on small fruits and berries, which it plucks while hovering or sallying from a perch. It also supplements its diet with small insects and spiders, typically gleaned from foliage or caught in flight.

Behavior

Round-tailed Manakins are primarily diurnal, spending their days foraging and, for males, engaging in elaborate lek displays. Males are famously polygynous, gathering at traditional lek sites where each male maintains a small display court, meticulously clearing it of debris. Their courtship invo...

Range

The Round-tailed Manakin is endemic to the eastern slopes of the Andes and adjacent lowlands in south-central South America. Its primary range extends from southeastern Peru, through central Bolivia, and into extreme western Brazil. In Peru, it is found in the departments of Junín, Cusco, Puno, a...

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Fun Facts

- The male Round-tailed Manakin's vibrant red cap is often described as "crimson" or "scarlet," making it a striking jewel of the forest understory. - Like many manakins, males create their own miniature "dance floors" or courts on the forest floor by meticulously clearing leaves and debris. - Th...

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