Helmeted manakin

Like most Pipridae the helmeted manakin is primarily a frugivorous species, though populations in gallery forests near Capetinga, Brazil have been documented gleaning and sallying insects.[10][15] Helmeted manakins have been observed participating in mixed-species flocks with other passerine birds.[10] Fruit availability in the Cerrado savanna ecosystems is highly seasonal; fruiting peaks in the wet season, and diminishes by 80% in the dry season.[13] Accordingly, the foraging habits of helmeted manakins vary seasonally. In the wet season they forage primarily in the canopy and are selective in their choice of fruit, preferentially foraging for the highest quality fruit.[13] In the dry season they forage in the understory and are less choosy about the fruit species that they consume.[13] Helmeted manakins are important seed dispersers for a number of fruiting plants in the Cerrado.[15]

The reproductive period for males stretches from July to December, with a peak in singing intensity and courtship displays in August and September.[11] Female reproductive period begins in August and ends in December.[11] Like many Pipridae, males and females are non-monogamous and can have multiple mates.[2] During the breeding season males frequent multiple leks to perform for different females.[2] Mixed-paternity has been documented in chicks from the same nest, indicating females may choose multiple mates.[2]

In the wet season males establish feeding territories and defend them from other males.[13] In the dry season, when food is less abundant, territorial boundaries dissipate and home range overlap between individuals increases.[13] Subadult males occasionally sing and engage in territorial behaviour.[11] Home ranges of males and females are large (on average 16 to 20 hectares during the breeding season) and overlap considerably with one another.[2][12]

Like all members of Pipridae male helmeted manakins gather in leks during the mating season where they perform a courtship display for an onlooking female.[2] The female helmeted manakin initiates the courtship display with short call.[2][8] Up to six prospective males gather in a single lek in the forest canopy.[2] The helmeted manakin's mating display is unusually subdued for a Pipridae, a family characterized by their complex and flashy courtship performances. The male birds initiate a series of chase-flights, during which they disappear into the canopy in mutual pursuit.[11] After completing a circuit the males return to the lek before repeating the chase-flight performance again.[2][11] Subadult males have been observed participating in courtship displays.[2]

Nests are bowl-shaped and assembled from twigs and roots.[11] The outside of the nest is decorated with dry leaves while the inside is lined with shitaki fungus.[8][11] Nests are typically constructed up to 3m off the ground in shrubs or other vegetation.[8] Nests are usually secured within a forked branch and are attached using spider silk.[8] Clutches always consist of two eggs, which are yellowish-white in colour with irregular spots, blotches or streaks.[8] Males contribute no parental care; females are solely responsible for constructing and cleaning the nest.[2][8]