<trp-post-container data-trp-post-id='359551'>Serra do Mar Tyrant-Manakin
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En bref
- Scientific Name: Neopelma chrysolophum
- Spanish Name: Saltarín tirano de la Serra do Mar
- Family: Pipridae
- Known Nicknames: Serra do Mar Neopelma, Golden-crowned Neopelma
- Average Length: 12–13 cm / 4.7–5.1 in
- Average Weight: 14–16 g / 0.49–0.56 oz
- Envergure : N/A
- Key Feature: Yellow crown patch on a grayish-olive body
- Régime alimentaire principal : Principalement frugivore
- Range: Southeastern Brazil (Serra do Mar mountain range)
- Habitat: Montane Atlantic Forest understory
- Structure sociale : Solitaire ou en petits groupes
- Nesting/Breeding: Open cup nest in a shrub or tree fork
- Statut de conservation : Préoccupation mineure (LC)
- Évolution démographique : Stable
The Serra do Mar Tyrant-Manakin (*Neopelma chrysolophum*) is a small, elusive passerine bird endemic to the montane forests of southeastern Brazil, where it captivates observers with its subtle elegance. Its general appearance is understated but refined: a predominantly olive-green body with a paler, yellowish belly, set off by a distinctive, bright golden-yellow crown patch that gives it its scientific name (*chrysolophum* meaning "golden crest"). Unique among its relatives, this species forgoes the elaborate courtship displays typical of manakins, instead adopting a more tyrant-flycatcher-like behavior—perching upright and sallying out to catch insects, while also foraging for small fruits. A special feature is its soft, buzzy vocalization, a series of rising whistles that echo through the dense understory, making it easier to hear than to spot. As a habitat specialist restricted to the Serra do Mar range, it serves as a living indicator of the health of these critical Atlantic Forest ecosystems.
Faits amusants
The Serra do Mar Tyrant-Manakin is a master of the “lek,” where males gather in specific display perches to perform a bizarre, mechanical-looking dance: they rapidly flutter their wings while hopping sideways between branches, creating a distinctive whirring sound. Unlike most manakins, which snap their wings audibly, this species produces a soft, buzzing noise by vibrating its primary feathers. Its vivid golden-yellow crown—unique among Neopelma tyrant-manakins—serves as a visual target during courtship, and the bird can twist its head nearly 180 degrees to inspect rivals or predators without moving its body. Remarkably, it is one of the few high-altitude manakins, adapting to the cool, misty cloud forests of southeastern Brazil by having a slightly larger body and denser plumage to retain heat.
Habitats et répartition
Endemic to the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, this species is restricted to the mountainous region of the Serra do Mar range, primarily in the states of Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, and southern Minas Gerais. Its habitat consists of humid, montane forests and cloud forests at elevations typically between 800 and 1,800 meters, where it occupies the understory and lower canopy of dense, mature forest with abundant moss and epiphytes. It is also found in adjacent forest edges and well-preserved secondary growth, but generally avoids heavily disturbed or open areas.
Comportements & Reproduction
Males of this species are highly vocal and perform elaborate displays to attract females, often gathering in dispersed leks where they compete for attention through a combination of sharp calls and rapid, acrobatic flights between perches. There is no permanent pair bond; after a brief courtship, the female alone constructs a small cup-shaped nest, typically hidden in low vegetation, and incubates the clutch of two eggs. The male takes no part in parental care, instead remaining in the lekking area to continue displaying for additional mating opportunities. This strategy allows successful males to sire multiple broods in a single season, while females invest entirely in the survival of their own offspring.
Alimentation
The Serra do Mar Tyrant-Manakin is primarily a frugivorous bird, with its diet consisting largely of small, fleshy fruits and berries plucked directly from trees and shrubs in the understory of the Atlantic Forest. Interestingly, while fruit forms the bulk of its intake, it is not exclusively frugivorous; it supplements its diet with a variety of small arthropods, including insects and spiders, which it captures through short, agile sallies from a perch. This insectivory is particularly important during the breeding season to provide protein for growing chicks. Another notable dietary fact is that, like many manakins, it likely plays a key role in seed dispersal, as the seeds from the fruits it consumes are passed intact through its digestive system, helping to regenerate the forest.
Couleurs
The Serra do Mar Tyrant-Manakin has olive-green upperparts and a pale yellow belly, with a distinctive bright golden-yellow crown patch and a slight yellowish wash on the throat. Males show a more vivid yellow crown, while females are duller overall. It lacks bold markings or camouflage adaptations, relying instead on its subdued, uniform coloration to blend into the dappled light of the Atlantic Forest understory.
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