Scarlet-rumped Cacique Cacicus uropygialis Scientific name definitions

The Scarlet-rumped Cacique is a black cacique with a pale whitish bill, striking blue eyes, and a red rump patch. Within what is considered herein to be a single species, there is a clear division between populations in the Andes and those in Central America and the Pacific Lowlands of South America. There is strong evidence that highland populations may represent a full species: the "Subtropical Cacique," which some taxonomic bodies already accept. The populations comprising the "Subtropical Cacique" are larger birds than the nominate "Scarlet-rumped" populations, with a relatively longer tail and shorter wings. The lowland "Scarlet-rumped" populations inhabit lowland tropical forest or second growth, avoiding cut-over areas, whereas the highland "Subtropical" cacique is more of an open-forest or edge species; inhabiting montane forest in the subtropical zone.