When it’s not showing off, this little bird blends in perfectly with its riverine and gallery forest habitats, which cover both woodland and grassland areas.

 

The small passerine bird known as the blue-backed manakin (Chiroxiphia pareola) looks similar to other manakin species. The blue-backed manakin is small and colorful, with a body size of about 13 cm and a weight of about 19 g. Males are mainly black with bright blue plumage and pale orange legs; some males, especially those from the southwest Amazonian variety, may have a red or yellow crown.

A blossoming blue back, touches of scarlet on the crown, and olive tones are the characteristics of young males.

The blue-backed manakin can be found in a variety of habitats, such as the Amazon Basin, Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru, Tobago, and eastern Venezuela. It also does well in the Guyanas and northeast Brazil. Along the coastline of southeastern Brazil, there is a distinct population. But the northwest Amazon Basin doesn’t have it at all.

During mating displays, male blue-backed manakins engage in a complex cooperative ritual in which they perch side by side on exposed rock, flipping their bodies from side to side while making a series of buzzing noises.

The International Union for the Conservation of Nature has given this species the conservation rating of “least concern” due to its widespread presence in its habitat.