The band-tailed cacique, formerly the band-tailed oropendola, is a species of bird in the family Icteridae.
Region
Western Amazon Basin
Typical Environment
Occurs in humid lowland rainforests of western Amazonia, including eastern Ecuador and Peru, adjacent southern Colombia, and western Brazil. It favors tall terra firme and seasonally flooded várzea forests, edges, and riverine corridors. Birds often forage in the midstory to canopy and may follow fruiting trees or swarms of insects. It is generally tied to intact forest but can persist along large rivers and tall secondary growth.
Altitude Range
100–1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The band-tailed cacique was long known as the band-tailed oropendola but has been reclassified; it remains a member of the New World blackbird family (Icteridae). Like other caciques and oropendolas, it weaves long, pendulous nests that hang in clusters high in canopy trees. Its ringing, gurgling vocalizations carry far through lowland rainforest.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
strong flier with direct, purposeful wingbeats
Social Behavior
Often found in small groups and loose mixed flocks in the canopy. Breeds colonially, suspending multiple woven, pendulous nests from high outer branches near clearings or waterways. Males perform visual and vocal displays at nesting trees, and both sexes aggressively defend nest sites from predators.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations include loud, liquid gurgles, rattles, and metallic notes typical of caciques. Calls travel far through the forest and are used for group cohesion and display.
Plumage
Mostly glossy black with a contrasting bright yellow subterminal band on the tail; feathers otherwise smooth and uniform. Bill is long, straight, and pale, standing out against the dark head.
Diet
Takes a mixed diet of fruits, berries, and a variety of arthropods such as beetles, caterpillars, and orthopterans. Will probe clusters of leaves and dead leaf bundles for insects and occasionally gleans from epiphytes. Frequently visits fruiting trees and may exploit seasonal abundance.
Preferred Environment
Forages mainly in the midstory and canopy of mature forest, along edges, and above riverbanks. Often joins mixed-species flocks moving through fruiting trees or following insect activity.
