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| Golden-collared Manakin Tranquilo Bay Eco Lodge, Bocas del Toro, Panama |
I walk into the forest behind my cabin, across two small meadows sparkling with butterflies and wild tropical flowers, down a little hill to the beginning of a narrow trail into the dark forest where I hear a clicking or popping sound, kind of like popcorn popping. Into the thick forest I find these beautiful little birds, the male Golden-collared Manakin. I saw only one female, much more reclusive and she was a solid olive-drab green color like the male’s lower breast/tummy and back. I was unable to get a photo of a female. Even at 3 pm the forest is dark, thick, and thus not conducive for photographs, though it is the males who come into the openings and who are purposefully showing off to attract the females. Yet when the dance starts, they are too fast to capture activity – see last 2 photos.
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| Golden-collared Manakin Tranquilo Bay Eco Lodge, Bocas del Toro, Panama |
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| In the forest I found 3 of these little clearings, called Manakin Leks where the male has removed all leaves for his big dance show every afternoon. Tranquilo Bay Eco Lodge, Bocas del Toro, Panama |
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| Golden-collared Manakin Tranquilo Bay Eco Lodge, Bocas del Toro, Panama |
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| Golden-collared Manakin The male starts his dance by perching sideways on a vertical young tree. Tranquilo Bay Eco Lodge, Bocas del Toro, Panama |
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| Faster than I can capture on my camera he pops like popcorn from stem to limb back and forth across and around the little clearing with the clicking or popping sounds that together with the color and fast movement are intended to attract a female Golden-collared Manakin. Incredible! |
See my “Trip Gallery”:
2018 Tranquilo Bay, Bocas del Toro, Panama