Glossy-mantled manucode

Species of bird

The glossy mantled manucode (Manucodia ater) is a species of bird of paradise. The glossy mantled manucode was the first bird of paradise encountered by the French naturalist René Primevère Lesson, the first westerner to see live wild birds of paradise.

It is widely distributed throughout the lowlands of New Guinea and nearby islands. Widespread and common throughout its large range, the glossy mantled manucode is evaluated as least concern on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. It is listed on Appendix II of CITES.

The glossy mantled manucode live in lowland rainforest, riverine and monsoon forests, forest edge, swamp forest and woodlands.

The glossy mantled manucode is medium sized, around 42 cm long, glossed green, blue and purple black with a red iris, black bill, long graduated tail and somewhat elongated upper breast and neck feathers. Both sexes are similar. The female is a slightly smaller than the male. In appearance, the glossy mantled manucode resembles and is difficult to distinguish from its nearest relatives, the crinkle collared and jobi manucodes.

These birds have diurnal habits. They tend to move alone or in pairs, rarely in small groups: They spend most of their time looking for food among the branches of trees, ready to hide themselves in the thick vegetation when disturbed. They are not particularly timid, but it is easier to hear their calls or flights rather than observe them directly. The diet consists mainly of fruits, figs and arthropods.