Birds
Red-capped Manakin
Ceratopipra mentalis
Sliding smoothly backward along a branch in a movement strikingly similar to the human moonwalk, a male red-capped manakin performs one of the most recognizable courtship displays in the bird world, its brilliant red head flashing with each slide.
Overview
The red-capped manakin, Ceratopipra mentalis, is a Least Concern bird found across lowland rainforest understory from Central America into northern South America. Its vivid red head, yellow-thighed black body, and famous moonwalk-like courtship shuffle make it one of the most behaviourally distinctive small birds found anywhere in the Neotropics.
A dance move shared with pop culture
The red-capped manakin’s backward sliding courtship shuffle bears such a close resemblance to the human moonwalk that the comparison has become a standard way to describe the behaviour, bridging a gap between tropical bird courtship and a familiar piece of human dance history.
Status
Least Concern, remaining widespread across suitable rainforest understory habitat throughout its range from Central America into northern South America.
Red-capped Manakin: common questions
Why is the red-capped manakin's courtship display compared to the moonwalk?
Males perform a rapid backward sliding shuffle along a branch during courtship, a movement so visually similar to the human moonwalk dance step that researchers and birdwatchers commonly use the comparison to describe it.
Why is it called the red-capped manakin?
Males show a brilliant red head and neck against an otherwise glossy black body, a feature that gives the species its common name.
Where does the red-capped manakin perform its courtship display?
Males gather at traditional display sites called leks, where they perform for visiting females, competing through movement and visual display rather than song alone.
What does the red-capped manakin eat?
It is an omnivore, eating small fruit and insects gleaned from rainforest understory and mid-level vegetation.