Head to head
Red-capped Manakin vs Golden-collared Manakin
Red-capped Manakin
VS Golden-collared Manakin
Both manakins perform a moonwalk-like backward slide during courtship, but one adds a loud mechanical sound effect to the routine.
| Red-capped Manakin | Golden-collared Manakin | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Ceratopipra mentalis | Manacus vitellinus |
| Conservation status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Distinguishing feature | Bright red head, yellow thighs | Bright yellow collar |
| Body colour | Glossy black | Olive-green back |
| Signature sound | Silent sliding display | Mechanical wing-snap sound |
| Range | Central America into northern South America | Panama and northwestern Colombia |
| Habitat | Rainforest understory | Forest understory |
| Diet | Small fruit and insects | Small fruit and insects |
Red-capped Manakin vs Golden-collared Manakin: common questions
Which manakin adds a sound effect to its courtship display?
The golden-collared manakin does, snapping specialized wing feathers together to produce a sharp mechanical crack alongside its sliding display, a sound not produced by the red-capped manakin.
How can you tell these two manakins apart?
The red-capped manakin shows a bright red head and yellow thighs against a glossy black body, while the golden-collared manakin displays a bright yellow collar against an olive-green back.
Do both manakins perform a similar sliding display?
Yes, both perform a rapid backward sliding shuffle along a branch during courtship, a movement closely resembling the human moonwalk in each species.