White-ruffed Manakin

The White-ruffed Manakin, Corapipo altera, is a diminutive and plump bird, measuring approximately 10 centimeters in length and weighing around 11 grams, with males slightly smaller than females. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism: males are resplendent in glossy blue-black plumage, adorned with a distinctive white ruff that can be erected around the throat and neck, while females and juveniles are cloaked in an olive-green hue with a more subdued greyish throat.

Identification Tips

To identify the male White-ruffed Manakin, look for its lustrous blue-black feathers and the prominent white ruff on the throat, which is particularly conspicuous when puffed out. The wings of the male are uniquely structured, with a notably short outer primary. Females and first-year birds are predominantly olive-green, with the males in their second year displaying a transitional plumage featuring a black mask and a partial white ruff. It is only after their third breeding season that males fully acquire their striking adult coloration.

Habitat

This species thrives in the wet forests of the tropical New World, favoring primary forests but also found in adjacent clearings and tall secondary growth. It is a bird of the foothills and middle elevations, with a preference for the lush, verdant environments that these areas provide.

Distribution

The White-ruffed Manakin is a resident breeder from eastern Honduras to northwestern Colombia. It is commonly encountered between 400 and 1500 meters above sea level, depending on the slope orientation, with some populations exhibiting partial altitudinal migration during the wet season.

Behaviour

The White-ruffed Manakin is known for its lekking behavior, where males engage in elaborate displays on the forest floor to attract females. These displays involve a series of intricate movements, including fluttering flights, log landings, and the puffing of neck feathers. Males may perform solo or in coordination with others, and their courtship culminates in a dramatic flight above the forest canopy followed by a high-speed dive.

Song & Calls

During their display flights, males emit a high, thin "seeuw-seeuw" call. The dive and jump portion of their display is accompanied by a distinctive "flap-chee-wah" sound sequence, which is integral to their courtship rituals.

Breeding

The White-ruffed Manakin's breeding season aligns with the driest months of the year. Males display predominantly from March through May, with peak fledging occurring in June. Females are solely responsible for nest-building, incubation, and chick-rearing, laying two brown-speckled white eggs in a nest situated in a tree fork.

Diet and Feeding

This species predominantly feeds on fruit, particularly favoring small berries from the Melastomataceae family. While males maintain a fruit-heavy diet, females increase their intake of arthropods during the breeding season. The White-ruffed Manakin forages alone or in loose groups, occasionally joining mixed-species feeding flocks.

Conservation status

Despite facing habitat fragmentation, the White-ruffed Manakin has shown substantial genetic connectivity across populations, indicating effective dispersal capabilities. The species is classified as "Least Concern" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, with a stable population trend and a broad range.