Yellow-rumped Cacique

Overview

The Yellow-rumped Cacique is a highly social songbird of South American lowland forests, easily recognized by its glossy black body contrasted with a bright yellow rump, wing patch, and tail base. It nests in large, noisy colonies of long woven hanging nests and is known for its varied vocal repertoire, including mimicry of other species.

Feather Identification

• Body feathers: Glossy black overall, including the head, throat, and back
• Rump feathers: Bright yellow, a key field mark visible in flight and at rest
• Wing feathers: Black with a bold yellow patch on the lesser coverts
• Tail feathers: Black with yellow at the base of the outer feathers
• Eye: Pale blue-white in adults
• Similar species: Distinguished from Yellow-winged Cacique by the additional yellow rump patch and lack of a prominent crest

Plumage Details

Adults are glossy black overall with a bright yellow rump, a yellow patch on the wing coverts, and yellow at the base of the outer tail feathers. The eyes are pale blue-white, contrasting with the black facial feathering. Sexes are similar, though males are somewhat larger. Juveniles are duller with less defined yellow patches and darker eyes.

Habitat & Range

Yellow-rumped Caciques are found in lowland forests, forest edges, clearings, and cultivated areas across northern and central South America, including the Amazon Basin. The species is largely resident, though it may move locally in response to food availability and breeding colony sites.

Behavior & Field Notes

Yellow-rumped Caciques are highly social, nesting in large colonies of long, woven hanging nests suspended from tree branches, often near wasp nests for protection. They forage for insects and fruit and are known for their loud, varied vocalizations, including whistles, gurgles, and mimicked sounds of other birds. Colonies can be quite noisy and conspicuous.