AnimaliaHighest rank in taxonomy. Groups all life into domains: Animalia, Plantae, Fungi, etc.IUCN LCInternational Union for Conservation of Nature — the world authority on species extinction risk, using standardized criteria. — Least Concern — widespread and abundant; not at immediate risk of extinction.In ProgressCurrent stage of this record in the editorial review workflow. Recent Sighting
Chiroxiphia linearis
Long-tailed Manakin
(Bonaparte, 1838)
Detailed Texts Multi-lang
It is a small, plump bird with marked sexual dimorphism. The adult male is unmistakable: his plumage is a deep velvety black that contrasts dramatically with a bright sky-blue mantle on his back and a scarlet-red crest on his crown. His most distinctive feature is the two central tail feathers, which extend like fine black ribbons up to 15 cm beyond his body. The female, conversely, presents cryptic plumage of a uniform olive-green tone, slightly paler on the belly, designed for perfect camouflage in the understory. Both sexes have striking pale orange legs.
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Julia Trouin
TaxonomyBiological classification ranks placing this species within the tree of life, from Kingdom down to Genus.
PhylumRank below Kingdom. Groups organisms sharing a fundamental body plan (e.g., Chordata = vertebrates and some invertebrates).Chordata
ClassRank below Phylum. Subdivides by structural traits (e.g., Mammalia, Aves, Reptilia, Insecta).Aves
OrderRank below Class. Groups related families sharing common ancestry (e.g., Carnivora, Primates).Passeriformes
FamilyRank below Order. Groups closely related genera (e.g., Felidae = cats, Canidae = dogs).Pipridae
GenusRank just above Species. The first word in the two-part binomial scientific name.Chiroxiphia
Taxonomic AuthorityThe scientist who first formally described and published this species, followed by the year of publication.(Bonaparte, 1838)
Record Completeness
94%Coming soon
Ecology & StatusHow this species lives: habitat preferences, diet, behavior, population status, and role in its ecosystem.
OriginWhether the species is native (evolved here), endemic (found only here), or introduced by human activity.
Native
Population TrendDirection of change in population size over time: increasing, stable, decreasing, or unknown.
Decreasing
Breeding SeasonTime of year when this species typically reproduces or flowers.
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Trophic RolePosition in the food chain: producer, herbivore, carnivore, omnivore, decomposer, or parasite.
Insectivore
Recent SightingsWhether this species has been observed in the wild in Costa Rica within recent years.
Yes
Habitat SummaryOverview of the specific ecosystems and environments where this species is found in Costa Rica. Multi-lang
It predominantly inhabits the dense understory of tropical dry forests, deciduous forests, secondary scrub, and gallery forests from southern Mexico to northwestern Costa Rica. In Costa Rica, it is an emblematic species of the Guanacaste province and the Nicoya Peninsula, preferring shaded areas and vine tangles near streams where males can establish their display zones (leks).BehaviourDaily activity patterns, movement, territory use, foraging style, and seasonal behavioral changes. Multi-lang
They are understory birds that rarely venture into the canopy. They fly with quick, short buzzing flights through dense shrubby vegetation. Males are territorial regarding their display areas (leks), while females maintain a low, silent profile, moving stealthily to evaluate males and forage.Social ActivitySocial structure: whether the species is solitary, paired, or colonial; hierarchy and communication. Multi-lang
The social system revolves around the lek. Males are not solitary; they depend on a cooperative system of hierarchical male alliances that can last a lifetime. Females, however, are completely solitary outside of the brief copulation event.Feeding GuildWhat the species eats, how it forages or hunts, and its role as a consumer in the food web. Multi-lang
Frugivore and insectivore. Although their diet consists of 80% small fleshy fruits plucked on the wing, they supplement their nutrition by catching small insects and spiders in the foliage, providing vital protein especially during the breeding season.Trophic Chain DetailsSpecific interactions in local food webs: prey species, predators, competitors, and scavengers. Multi-lang
They act predominantly as specialized understory frugivores, functioning as crucial seed dispersers for plant regeneration in the Melastomataceae and Rubiaceae families. They are preyed upon mainly by small arboreal snakes, forest raptors (such as the Double-toothed Kite), and small mammals.Reproductive BehaviourMating strategies, courtship displays, nesting or spawning behavior, and parental care. Multi-lang
Mating is polygynous. After copulation, the male completely disengages. The female assumes all reproductive responsibility: she builds a fragile cup-shaped nest suspended from a low fork over a stream, incubates 2 cream-colored, brown-spotted eggs for 18 to 20 days, and solely feeds the altricial chicks.Physical Measures
Length (cm)
11.0 - 27.0 cm
Weight (Grams)
15 g - 22 g
Offspring per cycleTypical number of young (live births, eggs, or seeds) produced by one adult in a single reproductive event or breeding season.1 - 2
Sexual DimorphismObservable physical differences between males and females of the same species (e.g., size, coloration, features).Yes
Lifespan
Sexual MaturityAge at which the individual becomes capable of reproducing for the first time.
1 - 4 Years
Gestation / IncubationDuration from fertilization to birth (mammals) or to hatching (egg-laying species).
18 - 20
Lifespan EstimatedExpected duration of life from birth to natural death under wild conditions.
Males10 - 15 Years
Females10 - 15 Years
Sexual DimorphismPhysical differences in size, coloration, or morphology between males and females of this species.
Males Multi-lang
Adult male with deep black plumage, intense red crown, bright blue mantle, and two extremely long central tail feathers. Its evolution has favored aesthetic ostentation to win the female's favor at the lek.
Females Multi-lang
Uniform olive-green plumage, lacking the red crown or bright blue, and a short tail. Evolutionarily designed to blend in with dense vegetation and protect the nest from predators.
Evolutionary AdaptationsInherited traits and behaviors that improve the species' survival and reproduction in its specific environment. Multi-lang
Leapfrog Dance Choreography: Males have evolved a hyper-complex behavioral adaptation. Two males (an alpha master and a beta apprentice) perform a synchronized dance on a horizontal branch, alternately jumping over each other in mid-air like a moving wheel, while emitting high-pitched buzzes to impress the female.
Modified Feathers for Sonority: Their wings possess evolutionarily adapted primary feathers that allow them to generate mechanical sounds akin to a whip crack or an insect's buzz during their nuptial flights, adding a physical acoustic element to their vocal song.
Main ThreatsDocumented pressures reducing the population: habitat loss, hunting, disease, climate change, and invasive species. Multi-lang
Dry Forest Loss: The Mesoamerican tropical dry forest is one of the most threatened ecosystems in the world. Its deforestation for cattle pastures and agriculture critically fragments the biological corridors these manakins require.
Phenological Mismatch due to Climate Change: Unpredictable variations in rainfall affect the seasonal availability of small wild fruits, interfering with the energy required for their prolonged and exhausting courtship displays.
Interesting FactsSurprising or notable facts that highlight what makes this species unique or ecologically important. Multi-lang
The Faithful Apprentice: In the courtship alliance, only the dominant male (alpha) gets to mate with the female. The subordinate male (beta) invests years cooperating in the dance with no immediate reproductive reward, waiting to inherit the display zone (lek) and alpha rank when the master dies.
The Origin of 'Toledo': Its common Spanish name comes directly from its distinctive, loud duet call. When the alpha and beta males vocalize in unison to attract females, it sounds exactly as if they are whistling the word 'To-le-do! To-le-do!'.