Solitary Black Cacique Cacicus solitarius Scientific name definitions

This cacique is well named; it is entirely black and often found by itself. However, it is not uncommon to see it in pairs, but certainly it is not a flocking species. Sometimes it goes by the simpler Solitary Cacique. It is found throughout Amazonia, ranging south to the Pantanal, Chaco and south along the Uruguay River as far south as northern Buenos Aires province in Argentina. It is a relatively large cacique with an entirely black, and dark-eyed, unlike other all black caciques that show a blue or yellow eye. Also obvious is the nearly white colored bill, the shape of which is long and pointed, almost chisel-like. Solitary Black Caciques live in the understory to mid-story, the latter particularly where there are vine tangles on which they can clamber and scamper up. They can be found in gallery forests, particularly in the south of the range or oxbow lakes (cochas) or shrubby river islands in Amazonia. They are associated with swampy forest or forests close to water. Vocally this species is quite amazing, giving some very odd sounding vocalizations. Some are delivered very slowly and methodically, their tempo alone being unusual. Some are repetitive vocalizations, some loud, others very soft and characteristically clearer more pleasant sounds are sometimes broken up by rattles, gurgles, or growls. Some aspects of their vocalizations suggest that of Cyanocorax jays. It is also known to mimic other species.

Male average 27·5 cm, 90·1 g; female average 23·5 cm, 80 g. Plumage is entirely black, with slight gloss; iris brown to chestnut-brown, exceptionally bluish (museum specimens); bill ivory-coloured; legs black. Differs from Cacicus sclateri in iris and bill colours and larger size. Sexes similar. Juvenile is duller black than adult.

SW Venezuela (Táchira, Apure) S through E Colombia (Meta), E Ecuador and E Peru, Brazil (S of Amazon E to Ceará, Pernambuco and W Bahia; perhaps locally N of R Amazon on R Branco, in Roraima) S to C & E Bolivia, Chaco of Paraguay, N & E Argentina (S to Santiago del Estero, Santa Fe and Buenos Aires) and W Uruguay (locally along R Uruguay).

Mostly occurs in flooded forest and gallery forest along rivers and channels, extending to dense riparian vegetation on islands of main rivers (Amazon, Paraguay, Paraná, etc.); also occupies swamp-woodland (e.g. Esteros del Iberá, in Argentina). In drier Chaco of Bolivia, Paraguay and Argentina occurs locally in seasonal deciduous woodland (typically with dense undergrowth of spiny bromeliads), but often near seasonal river channels (madrejones) and swamps (bañados), also near artificial reservoirs (represas). Lowlands to 600 m, rarely to 1400 m. Avoids most rocky terrain.

Insects and other arthropods; also small vertebrates, particularly tree-frogs (Hylidae); also fruits and nectar. Insects include e.g. beetles (Coleoptera), Lepidoptera, Hymenoptera, and bugs (Hemiptera); reported as using one foot to hold cases of bagworm moths (Oiketicus, Psychidae) while extracting the insect by means of open-bill probing. Takes both wild fruits, e.g. terrestrial bromeliads and myrtaceous Hexachlamys edulis, and cultivated ones, e.g. oranges (Citrus). Takes nectar from flowers of Erythrina and the vine Combretum lanceolatum. Forages mostly at lower levels of vegetation and in undergrowth (e.g. among terrestrial bromeliads); rarely on the ground, where it jumps, rather than walks. Commonly probes with open bill (gaping) and even hammers into dry or rotten wood, often spending considerable time in extracting such prey as carpenter ants (Camponotus) and beetle larvae. Non-gregarious, forages usually in pairs or family groups; rarely seen in mixed-species foraging flocks.

Song variable, with considerable individual repertoires. Song around nest usually starts with a series of low-pitched notes, and may contain pipe-like hollow sounds, sudden crescendos and odd harmonics; songs in other contexts may be shorter and simpler; mimics other bird species. In territorial conflicts between pairs, all individuals may vocalize for periods of 30 minutes or more. A common call is a loud nasal “kwah-kwah”; also cat-like calls.

Not globally threatened. Rather common in S part of range (R Paraná and R Paraguay basins); less abundant elsewhere. Tolerates moderate habitat disturbance, in Argentina breeding regularly in coastal urban reserves of Buenos Aires city. Found in several protected areas in Argentina, e.g. Kaa-lya del Gran Chaco National Park (Bolivia), Pantanal Mato-grossense National Park (Brazil), San Rafael National Park (Paraguay), and Río Pilcomayo, Chaco and Mburucuyá National Parks (Argentina).