Red-capped Manakin

Overview

The red-capped manakin (Ceratopipra mentalis) is a small passerine bird in the family Pipridae. It is a species found throughout Central America and parts of South America, currently classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Identification

• Measures 10 cm in length and weighs 16 g.
• Males are velvety black with a bright red head and nape, bright yellow thighs, and pale yellow chin and wing linings.
• Females are olive green above with paler, yellow-green underparts.
• Both sexes have dull brown legs; males have white irides, while females and young have brown irides.

Habitat

Found primarily in humid forest and second growth woodland, typically below 400–500 m above sea level, though it sometimes ranges as high as 900 m. Its range includes Belize, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Peru and Panama.

Diet

The bird is a frugivore, feeding almost exclusively on fruits from a variety of plants, including species such as Clidemia, Hampea, Henriettea, Leandra, Miconia, Ossaea, Pinzona and Psychotria. These fruits pass through the digestive system very quickly, typically taking less than 18 minutes to process.

Did you know?

Some individuals migrate to take advantage of changing food resources, with populations at La Selva Biological Reserve tripling in January and February when a favoured fruit ripened.