Bird Guide

Blue Manakin vs Lance-tailed Manakin

Blue Manakin (Chiroxiphia caudata)

Blue Manakin

Chiroxiphia caudata

Small26 gForest

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.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the Blue Manakin
Recorded by Belén y Diego · Uncertain · Santo Tomé, Santo Tomé Department, Corrientes, Argentina · CC0
Photo: Daniel S. Katz · CC BY 4.0
Lance-tailed Manakin (Chiroxiphia lanceolata)

Lance-tailed Manakin

Chiroxiphia lanceolata

Small19 gWoodland

Like other manakins, the lance-tailed manakin is a compact, brightly coloured forest bird, typically 13.5 cm long and weighing 17.5 g. Both sexes have bring orange legs and two central tail feathers elongated to form a spike. Females are olive-green, with slightly paler underparts. Most females are solid green, however, a small portion have tawny or red caps. Adult males are mostly black, with a red cap and sky-blue back. Young males are olive but show a red cap and the start of a blue back as they mature.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the Lance-tailed Manakin
Recorded by Rosa Elena Albornoz @rosaelena_naturaleza · Song · Los Caracas, La Guaira, Venezuela · CC0
Photo: Vertebrate Zoology Curator · CC0

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Blue Manakin and Lance-tailed Manakin.