Mountain Cacique (Cacicus chrysonotus)

Identification & Behavior: ~30 cm (12 in) (male), 24.5 cm (10 in) (female). The Mountain Cacique is black with a extensive bright yellow rump. Northern birds from Junin northward  (peruvianus)] have a broad yellow wing patch. Southern birds [south of Junin (chrysonotus)] are all black with yellow rump. The iris is sky blue. The bill is pale yellowish. The tail is solid black. Northern birds superficially resemble a Yellow-rumped Cacique but range at higher elevations and have a solid black tail and uppertail coverts.  Southern birds are similar to a Scarlet-rumped Cacique but are distinguished by the color of the rump.

Status: The Mountain Cacique is uncommon in montane forests of the east slope of the Andes at elevations ranging between 1800-3450 m. It also occurs in Co, Ec, and Bo.

Name in Spanish: Cacique Montañes.

Sub-species: Mountain Cacique (Cacicus chrysonotus leucoramphus) (Bonaparte), 1845. Colombia (all three cordilleras) S to SE Ecuador and northern Peru.
(Cacicus chrysonotus peruvianus), J. T. Zimmer, 1924. E slope of Andes of Peru (Amazonas S to Junín).
(Cacicus chrysonotus chrysonotus), d’Orbigny and Lafresnaye, 1838. Southern Peru and E Bolivia.

Meaning of Name: Cacicus: Spanish Caique= Indian Chief. chrysonotus: Gr. Khrusos= gold and nōtos= backed.

See more of the Family Icteridae