Birds Active during the day

Golden-winged Cacique

Cacicus chrysopterus

iNaturalist eBird Wikipedia

Adorned with brilliant golden epaulets and ivory-colored bills, the Golden-winged Cacique is a master of mimicry and motion. This striking South American songbird brings a flash of tropical color to forest edges and backyard feeders alike.

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Quick Identification

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Size

Approximately 19-20 cm (7.5-8 inches) in length; weighs between 30-45 grams (1.1-1.6 oz).

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Colors

Glossy black body with vibrant golden-yellow shoulder patches (epaulets) and a bright yellow rump. Features a pale ivory bill and striking white or light blue eyes.

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Key Features

Vibrant golden-yellow wing coverts
Striking pale blue or white iris
Slender, pointed pale ivory bill
Glossy jet-black plumage
Yellow rump visible in flight

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern Active during the day

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Peak hours 6-10 AM, 3-6 PM

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Season Year-round

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Diet An omnivorous feeder that enjoys a mix of insects, spiders, small invertebrates, seasonal fruits, berries, and nectar.

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Habitat Primarily found in humid subtropical and tropical forests, gallery forests, and mature secondary growth near water.

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Where Does the Golden-winged Cacique Live?

Where Does the Golden-winged Cacique Live? This species is a classic inhabitant of the Southern Cone of South America. Its native range spans the lush Atlantic Forest regions of southern Brazil, extending westward into the lowlands of eastern Bolivia and across the border into southeastern Paraguay. It is also a common sight in the northern reaches of Argentina and throughout Uruguay, where it thrives in both dense woodland and wooded suburban fringes.

Basemap © OpenStreetMap contributors

5 Countries

3.1M km² Range

Least Concern Conservation

BR Brazil AR Argentina PY Paraguay UY Uruguay BO Bolivia

Elevation range

0 m1,000 m2,000 m4,000 m

Sea level – 2,000 m

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iNaturalist / Verified observation data

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Behavior

The Golden-winged Cacique is a high-energy, intelligent member of the Icteridae family. Unlike some of its noisier, colony-dwelling relatives, this species is often found in pairs or small, discreet family groups. They are exceptionally agile foragers, frequently seen hanging upside down from thin branches or probing deeply into epiphytes and bromeliads in search of hidden prey. Their flight is direct and swift, punctuated by the flash of their yellow rumps.

One of their most fascinating traits is their vocal ability. Golden-winged Caciques are gifted mimics, weaving the calls of other bird species—and even mechanical sounds—into their own complex, liquid songs. While they are primarily forest-dwellers, they are adaptable and will venture into rural gardens and orchards, especially when fruit is ripening. They are less aggressive than larger caciques but remain highly territorial during the nesting season.

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Camera Tips

To capture the stunning contrast of the Golden-winged Cacique, place your camera near 'soft' forest edges or where your garden meets dense shrubbery. These birds prefer mid-level canopy but will descend to eye level for high-energy food sources. Position your camera about 1.5 to 2 metres (5-7 feet) high, ideally pointing toward a sturdy horizontal branch or a hanging fruit feeder. Because of their glossy black feathers, avoid direct, harsh midday sun which can blow out the highlights; morning or late afternoon light will best capture the iridescence of their plumage.

Attracting them to your lens is easiest with fruit lures. They are particularly fond of halved oranges, papayas, and overripe bananas secured to a platform or spiked on a branch. If you have flowering native trees like Erythrina, aim your camera there, as they are frequent nectar drinkers. Using a camera with a fast trigger speed is essential, as these birds are constant movers and rarely stay still for long.

For the best AI recognition, ensure the camera has a clear view of the bird's head and wing. The pale eye and yellow 'shoulder' are the primary markers for most identification algorithms. If your camera settings allow, use a high-frame-rate video mode or a 3-shot burst to catch the moment they flare their wings, revealing the brilliant yellow rump that is often hidden while perched.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Golden-winged Cacique.

Red-rumped Cacique

Easily distinguished by its bright red lower back and rump instead of the Golden-winged's yellow markings.

Variable Oriole

Smaller with a thinner, slightly curved bill and much smaller yellow wing patches; lacks the striking white iris.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Golden-winged Caciques are diurnal and most active during the early morning hours and late afternoon. They are most vocal at dawn when males perform their complex mimicry songs to establish territory.

The best way to attract them is by providing fruit, such as oranges, bananas, or apples on a platform feeder. Planting native nectar-producing flowers and maintaining dense, 'wild' shrubbery for cover will also make your yard more inviting.

They have a varied diet consisting of insects like caterpillars and beetles, as well as a wide range of fruits, berries, and nectar from tropical flowers.

Yes, they are quite adaptable. While they prefer forest habitats, they are frequently seen in wooded suburbs and rural gardens throughout their range in South America, especially near orchards.

Look for the white or pale blue eye and the yellow patch specifically on the 'shoulder' (wing coverts). Other caciques, like the Red-rumped Cacique, will have red markings, while the Solitary Cacique lacks the yellow wing patches entirely.

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