Green Manakin

Overview

The green manakin (Cryptopipo holochlora) is a small bird species belonging to the family Pipridae. It is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, although its population is believed to be decreasing.

Identification

• Length 11 to 13 cm, weighing 10.6 to 18.3 g, with sexes appearing alike.
• Nominate subspecies feature a bright grass green head, upperparts, and central tail feathers, with dusky or brownish wings and outer tail feathers edged in green.
• Throat, breast, and flanks are olive, with a pale yellowish chin and central belly.
• Song is generally quiet, described as a high-pitched, thin whistle or a high, rising 'tueee', alongside a two-parted rattle.

Habitat

Found along the eastern slope of the Andes in Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, the green manakin inhabits the undergrowth to the mid-story of humid to wet terra firme forest. Elevations range below 1,200 m in Colombia, mostly 300–1,200 m in Ecuador, and 400–1,100 m in Peru.

Diet

The diet primarily consists of fruit, which is likely the major component, along with some insects. The bird typically captures fruit by hovering briefly at the end of a short flight from a perch and sometimes joins mixed-species feeding flocks.

Did you know?

The species was originally described as Chloropipo holochlora and later placed in Xenopipo, but a 2013 study revealed that Xenopipo was polyphyletic, leading to the proposal of the new genus Cryptopipo.