Bird Guide

Mexican Cacique vs Screaming Cowbird

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
Screaming Cowbird (Molothrus rufoaxillaris)

Screaming Cowbird

Molothrus rufoaxillaris

Small48 gUrban

The screaming cowbird has mildly iridescent black plumage; the lesser under-wing coverts are rufous. The female is slightly duller in colour than the male. The legs are black and the iris is reddish brown. Adult body length is 18–21 cm and mean adult weight is 58 g for males and 48 g for females. The call of the screaming cowbird was first described as "impetuous screaming notes"; however, a more useful description for field identification is noisy, explosive and piercing with rasp-like calls also produced. Screaming cowbirds are mostly seen in pairs or small flocks.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the Screaming Cowbird
Recorded by Gabriele Magurno · Song · Ezeiza, Ezeiza Partido, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Irisfz · CC BY 4.0

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Mexican Cacique and Screaming Cowbird.