Species profile
About this species
The Swallow-tailed Manakin is a small, vibrantly coloured bird native to the Atlantic Forest of South America, found primarily in Argentina, Brazil & Paraguay. The male displays a striking combination of bright blue plumage, a red crown patch & elongated tail feathers, while the female is a more subdued olive-green. This species is well known for its elaborate cooperative courtship displays, in which multiple males perform coordinated dances to attract females.
The Swallow-tailed Manakin inhabits dense subtropical & tropical Atlantic Forest, particularly in areas with thick understorey vegetation, forest edges & secondary growth in south-eastern South America.
Where to photograph
Where our trips feature this species
You can photograph Swallow-tailed Manakin with us in Brazil.
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 during the breeding season, which typically peaks between October & January in the Southern Hemisphere spring & summer, offers the best opportunity to observe & photograph courtship displays.
Position yourself near fruiting trees or known display perches at dawn, as males are most active & visually striking during early morning light. Use a fast shutter speed of at least 1/500s to freeze the rapid movements of the birds during their courtship displays. A telephoto lens of 400mm or longer is recommended to capture close detail without disturbing the birds natural behaviour.
Available holidays
Trips featuring Swallow-tailed 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.