Golden-winged Manakin

About the Golden-winged Manakin

The golden-winged manakin (Masius chrysopterus) is a species of bird in the family Pipridae. It is found in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela. The golden-winged manakin was originally described in 1843 as Pipra chrysoptera. In 1850 Bonaparte erected genus Masius for it.

The genera Masius and Corapipo are sisters and genus Ilicura is sister to them. The golden-winged manakin is the only member of its genus and has these five subspecies: M. c. bellus Hartert, EJO & Hellmayr, 1903 M. c. pax Meyer de Schauensee, 1952

M. c. coronulatus Sclater, PL, 1860 M. c. chrysopterus (Lafresnaye, 1843) M. c. peruvianus Carriker, 1934 Because there is little difference in plumage among the subspecies and no genetic data for them, authors have suggested that some of the subspecies are not valid.

The golden-winged manakin is about 11 cm (4.3 in) long and weighs 9.0 to 13.5 g (0.32 to 0.48 oz). The species is sexually dimorphic. Adult males have a bright golden-yellow forecrown of plush feathers that curve forward over the bill and short black plumes on either side of it that project up as "horns". Their plumage otherwise is mostly black with a patch... Wikipedia →