Birds
Golden-collared Manakin
Manacus vitellinus
A sharp mechanical crack rings out through the forest as a male golden-collared manakin snaps his wing feathers together mid-display, pairing the sound with a rapid backward slide that echoes the courtship moves of his manakin relatives.
Overview
The golden-collared manakin, Manacus vitellinus, is a Least Concern bird found across forest habitat in Panama and northwestern Colombia. Its vivid yellow collar, mechanical wing-snapping courtship sound, and moonwalk-like sliding display make it one of the more acoustically and behaviourally elaborate members of the manakin family.
A display built on sound and motion
Beyond the visual spectacle shared by many manakin species, the golden-collared manakin adds a sharp, percussive wing-snap to its courtship routine, combining sound and a sliding dance move into a single coordinated display.
Status
Least Concern, remaining widespread across suitable forest habitat throughout its range in Panama and northwestern Colombia.
Golden-collared Manakin: common questions
How does the golden-collared manakin make its snapping sound?
It produces a loud, sharp cracking sound by snapping specialized wing feathers together rapidly during courtship display, a mechanical sound rather than a vocalization.
Why is it called the golden-collared manakin?
Males show a vivid yellow collar across the throat and chest against an olive-green back, a feature that gives the species its common name.
Does the golden-collared manakin perform a moonwalk-like display too?
Yes, alongside its wing-snapping sound, it performs a rapid backward sliding shuffle similar to the display seen in its relative the red-capped manakin.
Where is the golden-collared manakin found?
It ranges across forest habitat in Panama and northwestern Colombia.