Orange-collared Manakin

The orange-collared manakin is a diminutive and robust passerine, a member of the vibrant manakin family. It is a bird that captures the eye, with males sporting a striking combination of colors: a black crown, wings, and tail, contrasted with an orange head, neck, breast, and upper back. The rump is an olive-green, and the belly a vivid yellow. Females and immature males are more subdued in coloration, presenting an olive-green plumage with yellow underparts.

Identification Tips

Adult males are unmistakable with their black and orange coloration. The wings of the male are uniquely adapted for their display rituals, with outer primaries narrowed and inner primaries thickened. Females and young males can be identified by their olive-green upperparts and yellow bellies, which may have a golden tinge in first-year males. The species can be differentiated from the similar white-collared manakin by the absence of range overlap and distinct male plumage.

Habitat

The orange-collared manakin favors semi-open moist forests, thriving in tall secondary growth, shady plantations, and gardens. It is a bird that appreciates the lower and middle levels of the forest canopy.

Distribution

This species is endemic to the Pacific slopes of Costa Rica and western Panama, where it can be found up to elevations of 1100 meters. It is replaced by the white-collared manakin on the Caribbean slopes and by the golden-collared manakin further south into northwestern Colombia.

Behaviour

The orange-collared manakin is known for its captivating breeding displays at communal leks. Males meticulously clear small patches of forest floor, energetically leaping between bare sticks and producing a variety of sounds, including loud wing snaps and rustling noises, to attract females. These displays are a testament to the complexity of avian mating rituals.

Song & Calls

The male's vocalization is a distinct "cheeuu," complemented by the snapping sound of its wings, reminiscent of a twig breaking. This acoustic performance is an integral part of its courtship display.

Breeding

During the breeding season, males engage in lekking behavior, vying for the attention of females with their dynamic displays. Females lay two brown-speckled grey eggs in a shallow cup nest, which they alone construct and tend to, from incubation, lasting 18-21 days, to nurturing the hatchlings.

Diet and Feeding

The orange-collared manakin feeds primarily on fruit, which it plucks in flight from the foliage. It also supplements its diet with insects, foraging mainly in the lower strata of the forest.

Conservation status

Despite its somewhat restricted range, the orange-collared manakin is classified as "Least Concern" by the IUCN. The species is fairly common within its habitat, though there are concerns about slow population declines due to habitat destruction.