The three species of Manakin (Pipridae) regularly spotted on Pipeline Road are the Red-capped Manakin, Golden-collared Manakin and the Blue-crowned Manakin (pictured below). As the names suggest, the male birds exhibit distinctive bright colouration and are renowned for their elaborate mating displays and dances. The females however are all very drab – varying from green to olive in colouration. Once a female has mated with the male with the most impressive moves, she is solely responsible for nest building, incubation and feeding of the young. Her camouflaged plumage allows her to carry out these tasks without attracting the attentions of the many predators present in the Panamanian jungle understorey.
