Red-rumped Cacique

Identification

The red-rumped cacique is a medium-sized passerine, with males averaging 29 cm in length and females slightly smaller at 25 cm. The species is unmistakable in the field: both sexes are mostly glossy black with a bright red lower back and rump that gives the species its common name. Males display a pale blue iris, while females have a brownish-blue iris; both sexes sport an ivory-colored bill contrasting sharply with black legs and feet. Females are overall duller than males, and juveniles resemble adult females. Three subspecies are recognized, with minor variations in bill thickness and plumage gloss, though all share the distinctive red rump that makes identification straightforward for travellers.

Range & Habitat

The red-rumped cacique occurs throughout mainland South America except Chile, with a disjunct distribution across three subspecies. The northernmost populations range from southeastern Colombia through southern Venezuela and the Guianas to northeastern Brazil, with intermittent populations extending south through Ecuador, Peru, and Amazonian Brazil. A separate southern subspecies inhabits eastern Brazil from Pernambuco and northern Minas Gerais south through Paraguay into northeastern Argentina. The species favours forest edges, clearings, and gallery forests, occurring in both primary and secondary growth. Amazonian populations prefer the forest periphery and plantations, while southern populations inhabit woodland and forest stands, often breeding in small towns and suburbs. Elevations range from below 500 m in Colombia to 1,000 m in Peru and Brazil.

Behaviour & Diet

Red-rumped caciques are sedentary year-round residents that forage in flocks, sometimes numbering more than 80 individuals in the non-breeding season. They feed on insects, arthropods, small vertebrates, fruits, and nectar, foraging primarily in trees but also exploiting vines and epiphytes. These birds are highly social breeders, nesting in colonies typically of 20 to 30 nests in Amazonia, though southern populations may form colonies of 85 to 100 nests. Females construct distinctive long, purse-like woven nests hung from tree branches or palm fronds, laying clutches of two whitish eggs marked with reddish brown. Incubation lasts 17 to 18 days, with fledging occurring 23 to 28 days after hatching. Breeding seasons vary regionally, spanning September to May in Suriname and August to January in Argentina.

Best Time & Places to See It

For the best viewing opportunities, travellers should visit the Amazon Basin during the breeding season (August to May depending on region), when colonies are most active and conspicuous. The northern subspecies is accessible in the Guianas, Venezuela, and northeastern Brazil, while the southern subspecies can be found in central and southeastern Brazil, Paraguay, and northeastern Argentina. Forest edges and clearings, particularly around isolated trees that host nesting colonies, offer the most reliable sightings. Early morning hours are optimal for observing foraging flocks and hearing the species' characteristic loud, complex vocalizations that help locate colonies in dense vegetation.

Photography Tips

The bright red rump and glossy black plumage create excellent contrast for photography, particularly in dappled forest light. Position yourself near fruiting trees or flowering vines where foraging flocks congregate. During breeding season, colonies offer abundant opportunities for action shots—focus on females entering nests or parents provisioning nestlings. The pale blue iris of males and the distinctive bill colouration warrant close-up attention. Early morning light accentuates the glossy black plumage and makes the red rump pop; avoid harsh midday shadows in the forest canopy. For flight shots, watch for birds commuting between foraging and roosting sites, particularly at dawn and dusk.