Bird Guide

Mexican Cacique vs Red-breasted Meadowlark

Mexican Cacique (Cassiculus melanicterus)

Mexican Cacique

Cassiculus melanicterus

Medium81 gShrubland

Mexican cacique males average about 32 cm (13 in) long and females about 28 cm (11 in). Males weigh an average of about 96 g (3.4 oz) and females 70 g (2.5 oz). Adult males are mostly glossy black and have a long crest on the nape. Their lower back and uppertail coverts, most upperwing coverts, and crissum are yellow. Their tail is mostly black with yellow outer feathers. Adult females have a shorter crest than males. They have almost the same pattern as males but are a duller slaty black and their yellow tail feathers have olive edges. Voice: The Mexican cacique's song is variable; a common version has been written "krrow-krrow-kshárá-chee". Its calls are also variable and include "harsh electric chatters, bell-like screams, and clear whistles".

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the Mexican Cacique
Recorded by Ana Rebeca Martinez Martinez · San Cristóbal Honduras, San Jerónimo Coatlán, Oaxaca, Mexico · CC0
Photo: Francisco Farriols Sarabia · CC BY 4.0
Red-breasted Meadowlark (Leistes militaris)

Red-breasted Meadowlark

Leistes militaris

Small48 gGrassland

The red-breasted meadowlark is a small icterid, 19 cm (7.5 in) long and weighing 40–48 g (1.4–1.7 oz). Males are larger than females. The male has mainly black plumage, apart from a bright red throat, belly and wing epaulets. This striking "redcoat" plumage gives rise to the specific name militaris and the Trinidadian name "soldier bird". The female has buff edged dark brown upperpart feathers, buff underparts with a reddish tinge, and pale streaks through the crown and eye. Juveniles resemble the female, but are paler and lack the reddish tint to the underparts.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the Red-breasted Meadowlark
Recorded by Niels Krabbe · Song · Napo: km 1.5 Inchillaqui road near Archidona, Ecuador · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: http://www.birdphotos.com · CC BY 3.0

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Mexican Cacique and Red-breasted Meadowlark.