Bird Guide

Golden-collared Manakin vs White-bearded Manakin

Golden-collared Manakin (Manacus vitellinus)

Golden-collared Manakin

Manacus vitellinus

Small18 gForest

The golden-collared manakin is about 10 to 12 cm (3.9 to 4.7 in) long and weighs about 15 to 24 g (0.53 to 0.85 oz). The species is sexually dimorphic and males are larger than females. Adult males of the nominate subspecies M. v. vitellinus have a jet black crown, back, wings, and tail. Their chin, throat, and breast are a deep and glossy golden-yellow that also wraps around the nape to form the eponymous collar. The chin and throat feathers are long and can be projected forward. Their lower breast, flanks, belly, and undertail coverts are olive green with a yellow-olive wash on the belly.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: gailhampshire from Cradley, Malvern, U.K · CC BY 2.0
White-bearded Manakin (Manacus manacus)

White-bearded Manakin

Manacus manacus

Small17 gForest

Like other manakins, the white-bearded manakin is a compact, brightly coloured forest bird, typically 10.7 centimetres (4.2 in) long and weighing 16.5 grams (0.58 oz). The adult male has a black crown, upper back, wings and tail, and the plumage is otherwise white. He has orange legs. The female and young males are olive-green and resemble female golden-headed manakins, but they have orange legs. The race endemic to Trinidad, M. m. trinitatis is larger than mainland birds, and the female has yellower underparts.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the White-bearded Manakin
Recorded by Niels Krabbe · Rattle at lek, males · Esmeraldas: 7 km WNW Lita, Ecuador · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: unknown · CC BY 2.0

Where you might meet both

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Golden-collared Manakin and White-bearded Manakin.