Birds diurnal

Golden-winged Cacique

Cacicus chrysopterus

A striking master of mimicry, the Golden-winged Cacique brings a flash of brilliant yellow and a complex symphony of songs to South American backyards. Unlike its colonial cousins, this sleek forest dweller offers a more intimate look at the intelligence and beauty of the icterid family.

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Quick Identification

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Size

Length: 19–20 cm (7.5–8 in); Weight: 30–40 g (1.1–1.4 oz)

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Colors

Glossy jet-black body with vibrant golden-yellow shoulder patches and rump; pale ivory or bluish-white bill; light-colored iris.

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Key Features

Brilliant golden-yellow wing epaulets
Bright yellow rump visible during flight
Pointed, pale-colored bill
Piercing pale blue or white eyes
Relatively solitary compared to other caciques

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern diurnal

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Peak hours 6:30 AM – 9:30 AM and 4:00 PM – 6:30 PM

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Season Year-round; most active and vocal during the breeding season from October to January.

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Diet Omnivorous; primarily feeds on insects, spiders, and small invertebrates, supplemented by tropical fruits, berries, and nectar.

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Habitat Humid forests, gallery forests, forest edges, and well-vegetated suburban gardens.

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Behavior

The Golden-winged Cacique is a sophisticated member of the Icteridae family, known for its intelligence and vocal versatility. Unlike many of its relatives that nest in large, raucous colonies, this species is typically found in pairs or small family groups. They are highly active foragers, often seen acrobatically clinging to branches or hanging upside down to investigate bromeliads and leaf litter for hidden insects.

These birds are master mimics, often incorporating the calls of other forest birds into their own complex songs. While they can be shy in deep forest settings, they are increasingly common in suburban gardens that border wooded areas, where they display a curious and bold temperament once they become accustomed to a food source. Their presence is often announced by a series of sharp, musical whistles and clicking sounds.

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Camera Tips

To capture the Golden-winged Cacique on camera, focus your efforts on the 'mid-story' level of your yard. Unlike ground-feeding birds, these caciques prefer to stay 5 to 10 feet off the ground. Mounting your AI camera on a tree trunk or a dedicated pole at chest height, angled slightly upward toward a favorite perching branch, is ideal. They are particularly drawn to water, so placing a camera near a suspended birdbath or a dripping water feature can yield spectacular footage of them bathing and preening.

Luring them with food is highly effective. They have a strong preference for soft, sweet fruits like halved oranges, papayas, or overripe bananas. Using a platform feeder or a fruit spike mounted near dense cover will make them feel secure enough to visit frequently. Because they are quick and agile, set your camera to a high trigger speed or 'Burst Mode' to catch the moment they flare their golden wings, which is often a split-second action before they take flight.

If you are using a camera with adjustable video settings, aim for a high frame rate (60fps) to capture the beautiful mechanics of their flight and the shimmer of their glossy black feathers. During the southern spring (October–December), look for them carrying nesting materials like long fibers and grasses; placing your camera near hanging vines or weeping trees can help you document their unique, pouch-like nest-building behavior. Ensure the camera lens is shaded to avoid 'white-out' on their pale bills and bright yellow patches in the midday sun.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Golden-winged Cacique.

Yellow-rumped Cacique

Larger and lacks the golden wing patches; almost always found in large, noisy colonies.

Solitary Cacique

Completely black plumage without any yellow markings, and has a heavier, more prominent bill.

Epaulet Oriole

Slenderer body and lacks the bright yellow rump of the cacique.

Frequently Asked Questions

Golden-winged Caciques are most active during the early morning hours just after sunrise and again in the late afternoon before dusk. These are the peak times for foraging and vocalizing.

The best way to attract them is by offering fresh fruit like oranges or bananas on an elevated platform feeder. Providing a clean, elevated water source and maintaining dense, native shrubbery for cover will also encourage them to visit.

Their diet is a mix of protein and sugar. They eat a variety of insects, caterpillars, and spiders, but they also frequently visit flowering trees for nectar and fruit trees for berries.

Yes, they are quite adaptable. While they prefer forest edges, they are commonly seen in suburban neighborhoods that have mature trees and plenty of garden vegetation throughout their South American range.

The Golden-winged Cacique is slightly smaller and has prominent yellow patches on its shoulders (wings), whereas the Yellow-rumped Cacique lacks the wing patches and is much more colonial and noisy.

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