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
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Serilophus lunatus
A small, quiet bird with a distinctly silky, smooth-feathered appearance. Shape and pattern unique and unmistakable; note thick black stripe behind eye, dark wings with a glossy blue panel, and broad-based pale bluish bill. Usually moves around through the middle layers of forest from lowlands up into the mountains. Does not often join mixed-species foraging flocks, instead tending to stick to medium-sized groups of its own species. Sometimes gives a smooth, fluid ‘teelee!’
Cape Wagtail
Motacilla capensis
Elegant, long-tailed bird with a brownish back, pale underparts, and a black chest band. White outer tail is conspicuous in flight. Found in most open habitats, especially those near water. Feeds by walking along the ground, bobbing its tail constantly. Call is a buzzy “tseeei” that is often doubled. Song is a complex jumble of different repeated notes. Similar to Mountain Wagtail but has brown rather than gray upperparts, and Cape has less white in the wings and tail. Also similar to juvenile African Pied Wagtail but lacks a white panel in the wing.
Nuku Hiva Imperial-Pigeon
Ducula galeata
A large pigeon with a mostly dark gray body and a greenish back and wings. Head appears elongated, with a fleshy saddle at the base of the bill. Chestnut rear underside is most obvious in flight. Resident in remote forested valleys above 700 meters of elevation. Most common vocalisation is a very harsh, crow-like “krrrahhh,” most often heard in the early morning.
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