Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
The spectacular Araripe Manakin was only discovered in 1996. The male's bright, helmet-like crown led to its Portuguese nickname soldadinho-do-araripe, "Little Soldier of Araripe."
Another local nickname for the Araripe Manakin hints at the bird’s specialized and very limited habitat. Local legend tells of a red-headed bird living by forest springs and streams at the foot of the Araripe Plateau in northeastern Brazil. This bird, known as the galo de nascente (cock of the springs), must not be hunted, as it is o dono do agua — owner of the waters. If this bird is hurt in any way, the story goes, the springs essential to life in the surrounding dry lands will stop flowing.
Numbering only about 800 individuals and found only in a small oasis of lush forest in the middle of vast arid lands, the Araripe Manakin is extremely vulnerable to habitat loss. Protecting its habitat is key to ensuring the species’ survival.
Also known as:
- Soldadinho-do-araripe (Little Soldier of Araripe)
- Galo de nascente (Cock of the Springs)
- O dono do agua (Owner of the Waters)
Learn more about the Araripe Manakin: abcbirds.org/bird/araripe-manakin
The spectacular Araripe Manakin was only discovered in 1996. The male's bright, helmet-like crown led to its Portuguese nickname soldadinho-do-araripe, "Little Soldier of Araripe."
Another local nickname for the Araripe Manakin hints at the bird’s specialized and very limited habitat. Local legend tells of a red-headed bird living by forest springs and streams at the foot of the Araripe Plateau in northeastern Brazil. This bird, known as the galo de nascente (cock of the springs), must not be hunted, as it is o dono do agua — owner of the waters. If this bird is hurt in any way, the story goes, the springs essential to life in the surrounding dry lands will stop flowing.
Numbering only about 800 individuals and found only in a small oasis of lush forest in the middle of vast arid lands, the Araripe Manakin is extremely vulnerable to habitat loss. Protecting its habitat is key to ensuring the species’ survival.
Also known as:
- Soldadinho-do-araripe (Little Soldier of Araripe)
- Galo de nascente (Cock of the Springs)
- O dono do agua (Owner of the Waters)
Learn more about the Araripe Manakin: abcbirds.org/bird/araripe-manakin
