The only manakin of the Yungas, measuring 13 cm, with a compact body, relatively short square tail, and a short, slightly compressed bill typical of the genus. Orange legs. It shows marked sexual dimorphism: Male: black with a bright sky-blue back and dark red crown. During display, it can raise the feathers on its head, forming a small crest. Female: olive-brown, with darker wings and tail and a faint pale eye-ring. The juvenile is similar to the female.
Geographic distribution: It is distributed throughout the Yungas of southern Peru and Bolivia. In Argentina, it was first recorded in 2014 in Salta, expanding its known range since then. It currently has stable populations in Salta and Jujuy, being particularly common in Calilegua National Park.
Habitat: It inhabits humid ravines of montane and foothill Yungas forest between 600 and 2,000 m a.s.l., moving mainly in the understory and mid-level strata, in environments with good vegetation cover and presence of fruiting shrubs. During the breeding season, it mainly occupies montane forest, descending in winter to lower foothill areas.
Diet: Mainly frugivorous, consuming fruits of native species such as those of the genus Rubus. During shrub fruiting periods, several individuals may gather. It complements its diet with arthropods, which it captures through short flights from low perches.
Behavior: It moves within dense vegetation. Highly vocal, it emits clear, penetrating whistles, generally in series, often in chorus among several males. During displays, it may produce additional mechanical-type sounds. Although its courtship is not well described, it apparently performs it in groups like other species of the genus. During the breeding season, males gather in leks, where they vocalize persistently from elevated perches, moving through long hops between perches, accompanied by characteristic sounds; upon landing, they immediately resume singing (personal obs.). Females, more discreet, actively move in lower strata, making short, elastic flights sometimes from low perches or even from the ground, often in search of food (personal obs.).
Nesting: The nest is a small cup built with plant fibers and dry leaves. A clutch of two whitish eggs with brown spots has been recorded.
Conservation status: Internationally categorized as Least Concern (LC) and not yet evaluated at the national level due to the recent history of this species in Argentina. Since its first record in 2014, it went in just a few years from being an unexpected rarity to becoming a regular inhabitant of the northwestern Yungas. Its presence is now increasingly noticeable, with stable populations. However, the causes of its expansion, as well as its future dynamics in the country, remain unknown. All indications suggest that the Yungas manakin is still in the process of establishment, and it would not be surprising if in the coming years it continues advancing southward, colonizing new Yungas areas.
Author of this compilation: Diego Carús and María Belén Dri – 04/11/2026