Cacicus oseryi
The Casqued Cacique (*Cacicus oseryi*) is a striking medium-sized Neotropical songbird belonging to the family Icteridae, distinguished by its unique frontal casque. This species measures approximately 23-25 cm in length, weighing around 70-80 grams, and is primarily clad in glossy black plumage. Its most distinctive field marks are its bright, piercing blue eyes, and the prominent, pale yellowish to whitish casque—a fleshy shield-like structure—at the base of its conical, pale bill. Taxonomi...
Resides in humid lowland evergreen forest, particularly favoring riverine forests, oxbow lake edges, and forest borders, typically found at elevations below 600 meters.
Primarily insectivorous, consuming a variety of arthropods such as caterpillars, beetles, and spiders, supplemented by fruits and occasionally nectar, obtained through active gleaning and probing.
These diurnal caciques are often observed singly, in pairs, or small family groups, and frequently join mixed-species foraging flocks, especially in the canopy and mid-story. Foraging involves active gleaning of insects and arthropods from foliage, probing epiphytes, and sallying for flying prey....
The Casqued Cacique is a resident species found exclusively within the southwestern Amazon Basin. Its primary distribution encompasses southeastern Peru, specifically in the departments of Madre de Dios, Ucayali, and northern Cuzco, extending into northwestern Bolivia in the departments of Pando ...
Least Concern
- The "casque" or frontal shield at the base of its bill is a highly unusual and unique feature among caciques, giving the bird its common name. - Its scientific name, *Cacicus oseryi*, honors Edmond de Osery, a French explorer who collected specimens in the Amazon. - Casqued Caciques are known f...