Species profile
About this species
The Golden-winged Manakin is a small, compact bird found in the Andean cloud forests of South America. The male displays striking golden-yellow wing patches contrasting with its dark plumage, while females are olive-green in colouration. This species is known for its elaborate courtship displays performed at traditional leks, where males gather to attract females.
Montane cloud forests & humid forest understorey along the Andes mountain range in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru & Venezuela, typically at elevations between 1000 & 2200 metres.
Where to photograph
Where our trips feature this species
You can photograph Golden-winged Manakin with us in Colombia.
These departures are part of our South America programme.
In the field, David Miles helps guests make the most of these encounters.
Field notes
Photography notes
Early morning hours between dawn & 9am offer the best activity at lek sites, with the dry season months from June to September generally providing clearer forest conditions & more predictable bird behaviour.
Position yourself near known lek sites early in the morning when males are most active in their courtship displays, using a tripod for stability in low forest light. Use a fast shutter speed of at least 1/500s to freeze the rapid wing movements during display behaviour, & set your ISO higher to compensate for the dim understorey conditions. A focal length of 300-500mm is recommended to maintain a respectful distance & avoid disturbing the birds during their natural displays.
Available holidays
Trips featuring Golden-winged Manakin
The holidays below are pulled from the same species relationship, so the guide stays tied to live departures rather than becoming a static article.