Glossy-mantled manucode

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Glossy-mantled manucode
Manucodia ater.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Paradisaeidae
Genus: Manucodia
Species:
M. ater
Binomial name
Manucodia ater
(Lesson, 1830)
Synonyms
  • Manucodia atra Sibley and Monroe (1990, 1993)

The glossy-mantled manucode (Manucodia ater) is a species of bird-of-paradise.

Contents

Taxonomy

The glossy-mantled manucode was formerly described in 1830 as Phonygama ater by the French naturalist René Lesson based on a specimen collected near Dorey (now Manokwari), on the northwest coast of New Guinea. [2] [3] The specific epithet ater is Latin meaning "black", "dark", "dull" or "matt black". [4] The glossy-mantled manucode is now placed in the genus Manucodia that was introduced in 1783 by Pieter Boddaert. [5]

Two subspecies are recognised: [5]

The subspecies M. a. alter has sometimes been considered as a separate species, the Tagula manucode. [6]

Distribution and habitat

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. It is found in lowland rainforest, riverine and monsoon forests, forest edge, swamp-forest and woodlands. [7]

Description

Manucodia ater Paradisaeidae - Manucodia ater.JPG
Manucodia ater

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.

Behaviour

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. [7]

References

  1. BirdLife International (2017). "Manucodia ater". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2017 e.T22706114A118812610. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T22706114A118812610.en . Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  2. Lesson, René P.; Garnot, Prosper (1830). Voyage autour du monde : exécuté par ordre du roi, sur la corvette de Sa Majesté, la Coquille, pendant les années 1822, 1823, 1824, et 1825 (in French). Vol. 1, Livre 14. pp. 638–639. For the date of publication see: Cretella, Massimo (2010). "The complete collation and dating of the section Zoologie of the Coquille voyage". Bollettino Malacologico. 46: 83–103.
  3. Mayr, Ernst; Greenway, James C. Jr, eds. (1962). Check-List of Birds of the World. Vol. 15. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Museum of Comparative Zoology. p. 184.
  4. Jobling, James A. "ater". The Key to Scientific Names. Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Retrieved 6 January 2026.
  5. 1 2 AviList Core Team (2025). "AviList: The Global Avian Checklist, v2025". doi: 10.2173/avilist.v2025 . Retrieved 6 January 2026.
  6. Gill, Frank; Donsker, David; Rasmussen, Pamela, eds. (February 2025). "Crows, mudnesters, melampittas, Ifrit, birds-of-paradise". IOC World Bird List Version 15.1. International Ornithologists' Union. Retrieved 6 January 2026.
  7. 1 2 Frith, C.; Frith, D. (2020). del Hoyo, J.; Elliott, A.; Sargatal, J.; Christie, D.A.; de Juana, E. (eds.). "Glossy-mantled Manucode (Manucodia ater), version 1.0" . Birds of the World. Ithaca, NY, USA: Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Retrieved 6 January 2026.

Further reading