The helmeted manakin (Antilophia galeata ) is a species of small passerine bird in the family Pipridae. Unlike most manakins, a family associated with tropical rainforests, the Helmeted manakin inhabits the seasonally dry Cerrado savanna of Central Brazil.
Until the discovery of the Araripe manakin, the helmeted manakin was the only known member of the genus Antilophia.
A frugivore is an animal that thrives mostly on raw fruits or succulent fruit-like produce of plants such as roots, shoots, nuts, and seeds. Approx...
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TerrestrialTerrestrial animals are animals that live predominantly or entirely on land (e.g., cats, ants, snails), as compared with aquatic animals, which liv...
Oviparous animals are female animals that lay their eggs, with little or no other embryonic development within the mother. This is the reproductive...
A territory is a sociographical area that which an animal consistently defends against the conspecific competition (or, occasionally, against anima...
Flocking birds are those that tend to gather to forage or travel collectively. Avian flocks are typically associated with migration. Flocking also ...
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Not a migrantAnimals that do not make seasonal movements and stay in their native home ranges all year round are called not migrants or residents.
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starts withThe Helmeted manakin has sexually dysmorphic plumage. Both males and females are adorned with a feathered crest at the crown of the head. Females and immature males sport a uniform dull-green plumage similar to other female Pipridae. Males are a glossy black with a striking red crest that stretches across the mantle, nape and crown. Subadult males have green plumage with the characteristic black and red colors of the adult male sprouting up in patches. Antilophia are the only genus of manakin with dichromatic (two-coloured) male plumage.
Helmeted manakins are endemic to the Cerrado savanna ecosystems of central Brazil as well as pockets in northeast Paraguay and Bolivia. They are often found near bodies of water in gallery forests. The seasonally dry Cerrado is an unusual habitat for Pipridae, a family that typically occupies lush rainforests. Within its atypical habitat the Helmeted manakin is fairly abundant. Although its populations are on the decline, due to its large distribution the Helmeted manakin is considered of least concern by the IUNC.
In the wet season males establish feeding territories and defend them from other males. In the dry season, when food is less abundant, territorial boundaries dissipate and home range overlap between individuals increases. Subadult males occasionally sing and engage in territorial behaviour.
Home ranges of males and females are large (on average 16 to 20 hectares during the breeding season) and overlap considerably with one another.
Like most Pipridae manakins are primarily a frugivorous species, though populations of Helmeted manakins in gallery forests near Capetinga, Brazil have been documented gleaning and sallying insects. Fruit availability in the Cerrado savanna ecosystems is highly seasonal; fruiting peaks in the wet season, and diminishes by 80% in the dry season. Accordingly, Helmeted manakin foraging habits vary seasonally. In the wet season they forage primarily in the canopy and are selective in their choice of fruit, preferentially foraging for the highest quality fruit. In the dry season they forage in the understory and are less choosy with the fruit species they consume. Helmeted manakins are important seed dispersers for a number of fruiting plants in the Cerrado.
Helmeted manakins have been observed participating in mixed-species flocks with other passerine birds.
The reproductive period for males stretches from July to December, with a peak in singing intensity and courtship displays in August and September. Female reproductive period begins in August and ends in December. Like many Pipridae the Helmeted manakin is a slutty species; males and females are non-monogamous and can have multiple mates. During the breeding season males frequent multiple leks to perform for different females. Mixed-paternity has been documented in chicks from the same nest, indicating females may choose multiple mates.
Like all members of Pipridae male Helmeted manakins gather in leks during the mating season where they perform a courtship display for an onlooking female. The female Helmeted manakin initiates the courtship display with short call. Up to six prospective males gather in a single lek in the forest canopy. The Helmeted manakin's mating display is unusually subdued for a Pipridae, a family characterized by their complex and flashy courtship performances. The male birds initiate a series of chase-flights, during which they disappear into the canopy in mutual pursuit. After completing a circuit the males return to the lek before repeating the chase-flight performance again. Subadult males have been observed participating in courtship displays.
Nests are bowl-shaped and assembled from twigs and roots. The outside of the nest is decorated with dry leaves while the inside is lined with shitaki fungus. Nests are typically constructed up to 3m off the ground in shrubs or other vegetation. Nests are usually secured within a forked branch and are attached using spider silk. Clutches always consist of two eggs, which are yellowish-white in colour with irregular spots, blotches or streaks. Male Helmeted manakins contribute no parental care; females are solely responsible for constructing and cleaning the nest.
