Fairly common and widespread through much of South America. Males are distinctive with white throat, sharply defined black cap, black back and wings, and grayish belly. Legs bright orange-red. Females are duller olive with paler belly. Note red legs to help separate from other female manakins. Like most manakins, quite plump with a rather short tail and bill. Males gather at display sites in the understory of forest, where they make loud snapping noises with their wings. Also listen for a descending “peew” call. Away from display sites, rather inconspicuous and usually encountered singly, often around a fruiting tree.
Habitats & Distribution
The White-bearded Manakin inhabits the tropical forests and secondary growth woodlands across its geographical range. It thrives in humid lowland forests, forest edges, and areas with dense understory, often being found near water sources such as streams and rivers. This bird species displays a preference for environments abundant with fruiting trees and shrubs, which supply its primary food source. Geographically, the White-bearded Manakin is distributed across a vast region in Central and South America, spanning from southern Mexico through Panama, and extending into the northern reaches of South America, including Colombia, Venezuela, the Guianas, Peru, Brazil, and Bolivia. This range underscores its adaptability to diverse tropical and subtropical habitats, where it can exploit various ecological niches for foraging and breeding.
Behaviours & Reproduction
Male White-bearded Manakins are known for their elaborate courtship displays, which are essential for attracting females. They perform acrobatic displays in leks, where multiple males gather to compete for female attention. These displays involve rapid, mechanical-sounding wing snaps, flips, and quick dashes between perches, creating a visually and audibly striking performance. Females visit these leks to select a mate based on the vigor and skill of the males' displays. The social structure of White-bearded Manakins is highly polygynous, with dominant males, often older and more experienced, securing the most matings. After mating, females take on the responsibility of nest building and raising the young alone. The nests are typically small, cup-shaped, and constructed from plant fibers and leaves, usually placed in shrubs or low trees. This reproductive strategy allows males to maximize their mating opportunities while females ensure the survival of their offspring through solitary parental care.
Diet
White-bearded Manakin feeds mainly on small fruits. It also consumes insects such as beetles, flies and flying termites.
Colors
Males are distinctive with white throat, sharply defined black cap, black back and wings, and grayish belly. Legs bright orange-red. Females are duller olive with paler belly.
Fun Facts
At breeding time, males are involved in lekking behaviour on the forest floor during which they puff out their neck feathers.
Conservation Status & Efforts
The White-bearded Manakin (Manacus manacus) is currently classified as of "Least Concern" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), indicating that it is not at immediate risk of widespread decline. Population trends are considered stable, though habitat degradation poses a potential threat. This species inhabits a range of forested environments across South and Central America, which provides some resilience against localized habitat loss. Conservation efforts for the White-bearded Manakin primarily focus on habitat protection and management. The maintenance and expansion of protected areas within its range are crucial in safeguarding its environment. Additionally, programs aimed at reforesting and rehabilitating degraded areas support the preservation of suitable habitats. Monitoring population trends and habitat quality continues to be essential to ensure that potential threats do not escalate to endanger this species.
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