Machaeropterus striolatus
The Striolated Manakin (Machaeropterus striolatus) is a diminutive and vibrant neotropical passerine, captivating birders with its distinctive appearance and unique courtship rituals. Measuring approximately 9-10 cm (3.5-4 in) in length and weighing a mere 7-10 grams, males are strikingly adorned with a brilliant red crown, jet-black wings, and an olive-green body, prominently featuring white to yellowish streaking across their olive-green underparts. Females, in contrast, are cryptically dul...
This species primarily inhabits subtropical and tropical moist lowland forests, as well as lower montane cloud forests and their borders, typically at elevations ranging from 200 to 1700 meters above sea level.
The diet of the Striolated Manakin consists primarily of small fruits, especially berries from Melastomataceae and Rubiaceae families, supplemented by small insects gleaned from foliage or caught in short aerial sallies.
The Striolated Manakin is a diurnal and generally solitary bird, often found foraging quietly outside of active lek sites. Males congregate in loose, dispersed leks where they vigorously defend small display territories, performing elaborate courtship displays to attract females. These displays i...
The Striolated Manakin is a resident species found throughout much of the western and northern Amazon Basin and the Andean foothills of South America. Its extensive distribution spans across parts of Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, and Brazil. The species shows considerable geographi...
Least Concern
- Males of the Striolated Manakin can literally 'sing' with their wings, using specialized primary feathers to create mechanical sounds during courtship displays. - The genus name 'Machaeropterus' translates to 'sword wing,' referring to the sword-like, modified shafts of the male's primary feath...