Blue-capped Manakin Lepidothrix coronata Scientific name definitions

The Blue-capped Manakin is the most geographically widespread member of the genus Lepidothrix and is characterized by a black body and its rich blue crown. Several subspecies are recognized in this species, which ranges across much of western Amazonia including eastern Ecuador, eastern Peru, southern Colombia and Venezuela, and south through western Brazil to northern Bolivia. Throughout much of this range, the overall plumage is black with a blue crown, but in southeastern Peru, southwestern Brazil, and northern Bolivia, the body is almost lime green with a yellow lower belly, and lighter blue crown. It is found mainly in primary terra firme forest, but also occurs in other forest types, including seasonally flooded areas and those on white sand, as well as occupying taller secondary habitats. The Blue-capped Manakin overlaps with a number of other lowland manakins throughout its range. Female manakins always present a challenge in identification, but the female Blue-capped Manakin is noticeably “blue-green” in coloration, as compared to either olive-green or even grayish green in other species. Leks of Blue-capped Manakin are not as concentrated as they are with many manakin species, with calling males widely distributed through the forest; each bird perches ca. 25 m apart, with its own display area of 3–10 m in diameter. The species mainly forages by hover-gleaning small fruit, although insects are also taken and are probably particularly important in the diet of young nestlings. The genus Lepidothrix was formerly considered part of Pipra.