It is common in mountain foothills, breeding mainly between 800-1600 m, although in northeastern Venezuela it apparently occurs down to sea level.
This is a species of the understory of wet forest and adjacent tall second growth.
Breeding / Nesting:
The nesting behavior is undescribed but presumably resembles that of other manakin species in which the female lays two brown-speckled white or grey eggs in a cup nest. In all manakin species, nest-building, incubation for 18-21 days, and care of the young are undertaken by the female alone, since members of this family do not form stable pairs.
Like other manakins, this species has a fascinating breeding display at a communal lek, but the leks (competitive mating displays or dancing grounds) of this species are much more dispersed than the small cleared areas favoured by most manakins, with 3-4 males just within earshot of each other, and up to 100 m apart. Males fly between horizontal perches 3-12 m high and up to 50 m apart with a swooping flight, or, when a female is present, a slow butterfly-like flutter.
Description:
The White-crowned Manakins is, like its relatives, a compact short-tailed bird with a stout hooked bill, dark legs, and striking male plumage. It is typically 9.7-10 cm long, weighs 12 g, and has red eyes.
The adult male is mostly black with a white crown which can be erected as a low crest. His call is a buzzy jeeeeeee, louder and preceded by a popping p-p-p chee when displaying.
The female and young males are olive-green with a grey head and throat, and grey-green or olive underparts. The female of the eastern Andean race coracina is brighter and greener above and below than the nominate pipra, but the combination of a grey head and red eyes makes specific identification relatively easy for a female White-crowned Manakin of any race.
Feeding / Diet:
The White-collared Manakins feed low in the trees on fruit and some insects, both plucked from the foliage in flight.
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