Yungas Manakin

Overview

The Yungas manakin (Chiroxiphia boliviana) is a species of bird in the family Pipridae found in Argentina, Bolivia, and Peru. It is a year-round resident of the Yungas biome and is currently assessed as Least Concern by the IUCN, despite a believed decreasing population.

Identification

• 12 to 13 cm long with a weight of approximately 14 to 22 g, featuring a short tuft of feathers on the forecrown.
• Adult males display a small dark red patch on the crown and a pale blue back with otherwise black plumage, while females have olive-green upperparts and paler green underparts.
• A loud song described as "CHEW'LEW!", "CHEW!", "TCHAW", or "WHEW!" which is often sung in chorus.
• Black or blackish bill with irises ranging from brown to reddish brown, and highly variable legs from purplish brown to pale yellowish cream.

Habitat

Found along the eastern slope of the Andes from southern Peru through Bolivia into far northern Argentina, primarily within the Yungas biome. It inhabits humid montane forest, favouring edges with fruiting trees at elevations between 400 and 2,600 m, though one individual was recorded as high as 3,200 m.

Diet

The Yungas manakin feeds on fruit, with studies indicating a preference for Ficus figs and Melastomataceae. It usually forages singly.

Did you know?

Although the species was originally described as a subspecies of the blue-backed manakin, it was elevated to full species rank in 1987 due to distinct differences in morphology, song, and courtship display.