Bird World › Yellow-bellied siskin images › Solitary cacique - Cacicus solitarius
The solitary cacique (Cacicus solitarius) belongs to the family of oropendolas and caciques, the Icteridae.The solitary cacique is distributed in Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay and Argentina. These cacique species have complete black plumage. These caciques are monotypic species.
Appearance, physical description and identification
The solitary cacique (Cacicus solitarius) is a medium-sized cacique, measuring 23 to 27 cm in length and weighing 80 to 90 grams.The solitary cacique has overall black plumage with slight gloss. The head, upperparts, underparts and tail are black. The male birds are slightly larger than the females. The tail is long with a slight fork.
The bill is large, white, chisel-shaped and sharp pointed. The legs are blackish. The irises are brown. There is a gray eye-ring. Their call is a repeated "kwoo.. kwoo.. kwaa.. kwaa" sound.
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| 1.Bird World - Solitary black cacique - Cacicus solitarius Image by Francesco Veronesi |
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| 2.Bird World - Solitary black cacique - Cacicus solitarius Image by Bernard DUPONT |
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| 3.Bird World - Solitary black cacique - Cacicus solitarius Image by Victoria DA. |
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| 4.Bird World - Solitary black cacique - Cacicus solitarius Image by Victoria DA. |
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| 5.Bird World - Solitary black cacique - Cacicus solitarius Image by Victoria DA. |
Origin, geographical range and distribution
The solitary cacique is distributed over southwest Venezuela, east Colombia, east Ecuador, east Peru, Brazil, central and east Bolivia, Paraguay, west Uruguay and north and east Argentina in South America.Ecosystem and habitat
The solitary cacique species have moderate forest dependence. They normally occurs in altitudes between 0 to 500 meters.The natural ecosystems and habitats of these species include tropical and subtropical moist lowland forests, tropical and subtropical mangroves, swamps and flooded forests.
Diet and feeding behavior
The diet of these species consists mainly of invertebrates. Insects, worms, small invertebrates, fruits, berries and nectar are their primary food.They mostly forage for insects and fruits in the middle and upper canopy. They occasionally descent to the floor to feed on insects and small vertebrates.
Reproduction and breeding habits
The breeding season of the solitary cacique species is from October to January in Brazil. The laying season is from October to December in Argentina. In some cases two broods are raised.These birds are monogamous and nest solitarily. The breeding habitat includes tall trees. The nest is a hanging nest woven with grass, rootlets and plant fiber.
Migration and movement patterns
These species are non-migratory, resident birds.Post breeding, the juveniles may disperse and establish in new locations within the range. Within their range they may make local movements for feeding and breeding.
Solitary cacique - Quick Facts
- Scientific name: Cacicus solitarius
- Species author: (Vieillot, 1816)
- Synonyms/Protonym: Cassicus solitarius Vieillot, 1816
- Family: Icteridae › Passeriformes › Aves › Chordata › Animalia
- Vernacular names: English: Solitary cacique, Chinese: 黑酋长鹂, French: Cassique solitaire, German: Stahlkassike, Spanish: Cacique solitario, Russian: Траурный чёрный кассик, Japanese: アオクロツリスドリ
- Other names: Solitary Cacique, Solitary black cacique
- Distribution: South America
- Diet and feeding habits: insects, small vertebrates, fruits, nectar
- IUCN status listing: Least Concern (LC)
Conservation and survival
The global population size of the solitary cacique (Cacicus solitarius) has not been quantified. The overall population trend of the species is considered to be stable.In most of its range, this species is reported to be 'fairly common' (Stotz et al. (1996). The generation length is 4.6 years. Its distribution size is about 12,900,000 sq.km.
Ecosystem degradation, ecosystem conversion and deforestation are the main threats that may endanger the survival of the species.
IUCN and CITES status
The solitary cacique (Cacicus solitarius) species does not approach the thresholds for being Vulnerable either under the range size criterion, or under the population trend criterion or under the population size criterion.The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) has categorized and evaluated the species and has listed it as of "Least Concern".
The CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) status is ‘Not Evaluated’ for the solitary cacique (Cacicus solitarius).
| Taxonomy and scientific classification of Cacicus solitarius | |
|---|---|
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Icteridae |
| Subfamily: | - |
| Genus: | Cacicus |
| Species: | C. solitarius |
| Binomial name: | Cacicus solitarius |
| IUCN status listing: |
 Least Concern |
1.Image source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Solitary_Cacique_-_Pantanal_-_Brazil_H8O0547_(23889343835).jpg (cropped)
Image author: Francesco Veronesi | License: CC BY-SA 2.0 as on 11/3/18
2.Image source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/berniedup/28639940053/ (cropped)
Image author: Bernard DUPONT | License: CC BY-SA 2.0 as on 11/3/18
3.Image source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/30206814@N00/4270297760/
Image author: Victoria DA. | License: CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 as on 11/3/18
4.Image source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/30206814@N00/4269554201/in/photostream/
Image author: Victoria DA. | License: CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 as on 11/3/18
5.Image source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/30206814@N00/4269551683/
Image author: Victoria DA. | License: CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 as on 11/3/18
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Updated Nov 3, 2018
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