Diet and Foraging

The Long-tailed Manakin eats a wide variety of fruits, varying their diet based on which fruits are ripe at the time (Foster 1977a). Food resources in their habitats are often widely distributed and variable (Frankie et al. 1974, Opler et al. 1980, McDonald 2010). They have been observed eating fruits from a total of 42 tree species, including the fruits of Ardisia revoluta (Primulaceae), Stemmadenia donnell-smithii (Apocynaceae), Trichilia martiana (Meliaceae), and Ocotea tonduzii (Lauraceae) (for a full list see Leck 1969, Foster 1977a, McDonald 1989b, and especially Wheelwright et al. 1984). Ripe fruit is preferred, but unripe fruit will be eaten in times of scarcity. It has been estimated that birds spend about an hour each day feeding (about 8% of daylight); trips to fruit trees occur throughout the day (although they may prefer to feed early in the morning, before 0930 h (Leck 1969), and are very short, about one to four minutes. Seeds are regurgitated or passed through the gut (Foster 1977a). Marini (1992) suggests that Long-tailed Manakins, like other manakins, also eat insects. Foster (1977a) suggested that Long-tailed Manakins acquire the water they need from their diet, especially during the dry season.