Bird Guide

Blue Manakin

Chiroxiphia caudata

Least ConcernInvertebratesForestSmall · 26 g

About the Blue Manakin

The blue manakin or swallow-tailed manakin is a small species of bird in the family Pipridae. It is found mainly in the Atlantic Forest of south-eastern Brazil, eastern Paraguay and far north-eastern Argentina. Its typical habitat is wet lowland or montane forest and heavily degraded former forest. Males have a bright blue body, black head wings and tail and a red crown. Females and juveniles are olive-green. At breeding time, males are involved in lekking behaviour when they sing and dance to impress females. This is a common species with a wide range, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature has rated its conservation status as being of "least concern".

Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

ID tip

At a length of around 15 cm (5.9 in) and a weight of around 25.6 g (0.90 oz), this small sparrow-sized bird may be the largest species within the diminutive manakin family. Formerly, the name "swallow-tailed manakin" was used widely, but as it is misleading (the tail is unlike that of any swallow), this name has largely been abandoned for "superior blue manakin". As suggested by this common name, the male is – by far – the manakin with most blue to the plumage. The entire body is bright blue, while the wings, tail and head, except for the red cap, are black.

Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

What the Blue Manakin sounds like

Recording: Belén y Diego · CC0 · via xeno-canto

Where the Blue Manakin lives

Regular range

When to see the Blue Manakin

Peak activity in October · a resident species across most of its range

Easily confused with

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