107: Club-winged Manakin - Making Robot Noises with its Feathers

This week on Birds of a Feather Talk Together, it’s Shannon’s turn to pick the bird—and she’s chosen one of the wildest species on the planet: the club-winged manakin. If you’ve never heard of this bird, do yourself a favor right now—stop what you’re doing and google it. Trust us, you’ll be amazed.

The club-winged manakin doesn’t sing with its voice. Instead, it makes a bizarre, almost robot-like sound with its feathers—something no other bird on Earth can do. Scientists are still blown away by how this tiny bird pulls off such a unique performance in the rainforests of South America.

In this episode, Shannon, John, RJ, and Amanda break down everything you need to know about the club-winged manakin’s mind-blowing courtship display, the science behind feather-generated sound, and why this bird has become a favorite among ornithologists and bird lovers alike.

If you love strange, surprising, and unforgettable stories from the bird world, this episode is for you. Get ready to meet the club-winged manakin—the bird that sounds like a robot, but is 100% natural.

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