The name manakin is from Middle Dutch mannekijn "little man". The manakins are of a family, Pipridae, of some sixty small sparrow sized tropical birds with freakish traits distributed through the American tropics. Manakins bring wings together behind their backs to make scary noises to scare off predators. Many manakin species have spectacular courtship rituals, with special wing feather actions used to make buzzing, humming, and snapping sounds. The manakin male misses no opportunity to flash his colours at observing females, possible predators, and visitors to the forest canopy.
See also:
Lance-tailed manakin, Red-capped manakin, Orange-collared manakin
