Yellow-billed Cacique

The Yellow-billed Cacique, Amblycercus holosericeus, presents a striking figure with its entirely black plumage, contrasting with a yellow or yellow-orange eye and a distinctive yellow bill tinged with gray. This bird measures approximately 23 cm (9.1 inches) in length, with dark gray legs and feet, completing its monochromatic attire.

Identification Tips

When identifying the Yellow-billed Cacique, look for its uniform black plumage and the namesake yellow bill, which may show a grayish cast. The bird's yellow or yellow-orange eyes are also a key feature to distinguish it from other species.

Habitat

This species thrives in a variety of forested environments, including subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, subtropical or tropical moist montane forests, and areas of heavily degraded former forest.

Distribution

The Yellow-billed Cacique is found across a broad range, from Mexico to northern South America, including countries such as Belize, Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, and Venezuela.

Behaviour

The Yellow-billed Cacique exhibits a woodpecker-like pecking technique to access the interiors of branches and bamboo, showcasing its adaptability. In certain regions, it specializes in bamboo, while in others, it forages across a variety of vegetation.

Breeding

In the springtime, this species constructs a sturdy cup-shaped nest, which is an unusual trait within its family, as most relatives tend to build hanging woven nests.

Diet and Feeding

The diet of the Yellow-billed Cacique consists of insects, other invertebrates, and some fruit. Its foraging behavior is quite versatile, ranging from pecking at wood to sourcing food from various types of vegetation.

Conservation status

The IUCN Red List categorizes the Yellow-billed Cacique as Least Concern, indicating that, currently, there are no immediate threats to its population levels that would warrant a higher degree of conservation action.