Selva Cacique
Cacicus koepckeae
Rare cacique found very locally in lowland forest in southeastern Peru and extreme SW Brazil, especially near forest-fringed lakes and rivers. Note yellow rump and pale blue eye, which separate it from Solitary Black Cacique. Told from Yellow-rumped Cacique by the yellow being limited to the rump in Selva. No overlap with the closely related Ecuadorian Cacique. It has a varied vocal repertoire, with whistles, metallic squeaks, and various buzzing notes, among other calls.
Identification
The Selva cacique is entirely black except for a distinctive yellow rump and yellow upper-tail coverts. It is a slender long-tailed bird with a total length of about 23 cm (9 in). The beak and irises are bluish-white while the legs are dark.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Cacicus koepckeae
- Authority
- Lowery & O'Neill, 1965
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Icteridae
- Genus
- Cacicus
Range and habitat
The Selva cacique is endemic to eastern Peru where it is found in the regions of Ucayali, Cusco and Madre de Dios, and the adjoining Acre State in northwestern Brazil. It typically inhabits dense riverside vegetation in forested areas near small rivers and streams, in lowland areas and low foothills at elevations between 300 and 575 m (1,000 and 1,900 ft).
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
The Selva cacique has been little studied but its behaviour is thought to be similar to that of the Ecuadorian cacique (Cacicus sclateri). It may move through the forest alone or in pairs, or it may do so as part of a small group. Six birds were seen bathing and drinking together by one observer. The birds forage through the canopy and have been observed probing into clumps of seedpods, perhaps for insects, while not feeding in nearby fruit-laden trees.
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Mindanao Cuckooshrike
Coracina kochii
Burly gray cuckooshrike with dark eyes and a heavy bill. Endemic to the southern and east-central Philippines, from Bohol east to Samar, and south to Mindanao and Basilan. Both male and female are gray above and barred black-and-white below. Inhabits lowland and foothill forest and forest edge, where forages at middle and upper levels, sometimes associating with other species. Gives a range of high-pitched and scratchy calls, including doubled screeching notes: “whee-wheet!” Formerly treated as part of a more broadly-defined “Bar-bellied Cuckooshrike”.
Lazuli Kingfisher
Todiramphus lazuli
A stunning blue-and-white kingfisher with entirely blue upperparts in both sexes. Female has white throat and pale blue breast and belly, but male shows more white, with pale blue confined to belly. Juvenile resembles dull male, with buff throat, spot near bill, and speckled breast and collar. Found singly and in pairs in lowland wooded areas, including cultivated areas and mangroves. Pale blue underside is unique among kingfishers in its limited south Moluccan range. Rowdy vocalizations include repetitive “ker-chick” series and “ki-ki-ki-ki…” calls.
Unicolored Tapaculo
Scytalopus unicolor
Small, gray bird found only in the western Andes of northern Peru. Adult is plain gray, lacking any black or brown barring on lower underparts. Young birds are browner and heavily scaled with gray and buff. Inhabits forest understory and heard much more often than seen. Listen for soft frog-like notes that are given alone or in a series of accelerating bursts.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.