Bird Guide

Golden-headed Manakin vs Red-capped Manakin

Golden-headed Manakin (Ceratopipra erythrocephala)

Golden-headed Manakin

Ceratopipra erythrocephala

Tiny13 gForest

Like other manakins, the golden-headed manakin is a compact, brightly coloured forest bird, typically 3.7 in (9.4 cm) long and weighing 0.44 oz (12.5 g). The adult male is black apart from a golden cap, white and red thighs, pink legs and a yellowish bill. The female and young males are olive-green and resemble female white-bearded manakins, but are smaller, shorter-tailed and have pinkish (not bright orange) legs. Apart from the buzzing display song (see below), the golden-headed manakin has a number of other calls, including a buzzing pir pir prrrrrt.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the Golden-headed Manakin
Recorded by Niels Krabbe · Call, calls at lek · Pastaza: Churunalpi, 5 km N Canelos, Ecuador · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Ann Lee · Public domain
Red-capped Manakin (Ceratopipra mentalis)

Red-capped Manakin

Ceratopipra mentalis

Small15 gForest

The red-capped manakin is a small passerine, measuring 4 in (10 cm) in length and weighing 16 g (0.56 oz). The male is velvety black apart from a bright red head and nape, bright yellow thighs, and a pale yellow chin and wing linings. The female is olive green above, with paler, more yellow-green underparts. Both sexes have dull brown legs. The male's irides are white, while those of the female and young are brown. While the adult male is distinctive, the female and youngsters can be confused with several similar species.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the Red-capped Manakin
Recorded by Niels Krabbe · Call · Esmeraldas: Canandé Botrosa Road end, Ecuador · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Anthony Batista · CC BY 4.0

Where you might meet both

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Golden-headed Manakin and Red-capped Manakin.