Let me introduce you to the Black-capped donacobius, a charming bird easily distinguished by its striking yellow eyes and distinctive vocalizations. Its black head is a distinguishing feature that sets it apart from other avian species.
The black-capped donacobius is a lively bird that can be found in South America. Its distinct features include dark upperparts and yellow buff underparts, with a paler chin contrasting the throat and a slightly darker chest than the stomach. You can also see fine black bars across its upper flanks, and a small white patch on its upper wing, giving it its name. Its long, dark, fan-shaped tail has noticeable white tips, which become broader on the outer feathers. The bird’s forehead, crown, nape, cheeks, and shoulders are black, and during mating rituals, it flaunts deep orange-yellow cheek pouches. Its bill is slightly curved downwards, the eyes are bright yellow, and the legs and feet are black.
When it comes to physical features, male and female birds tend to have a lot in common. But, in younger birds, there are some noticeable distinctions such as a brown-colored crown and nape. Moreover, their body feathers are less vibrant compared to the mature ones and don’t feature any black barring on their wings.
This bird species is commonly found in the marshy areas and wetlands of several South American nations such as Brazil, Bolivia, Argentina, Guyana, Ecuador, Peru, Paraguay, Suriname, Venezuela, and Panama.
The Amazon is home to a number of wetland areas where you can find black-capped donacobius birds. These birds are commonly found in riparian zones, oxbow lakes, and places with a lot of aquatic or semi-aquatic vegetation.
These winged beings usually feed on insects they gather from the leaves, especially in grassy areas. However, it is also said that they sometimes catch insects while flying low over bodies of water.
In the breeding season, the bird creates a nest by weaving reeds or grass over the water. The nest is usually built between 25 cm to one meter above the water level and is an open cup measuring around 6cm to 8cm in diameter. The female bird is primarily responsible for constructing this bulky nest, using a combination of materials such as plant fibers, spider webs, and snake skins. Once the nest is complete, the female lays two eggs, which are then incubated for 16 to 18 days. During this period, both parents take turns to feed the young. After hatching, the fledglings stay in the nest for around 17 to 18 days before becoming independent.
The Black-capped Donacobius is a bird that is frequently seen in its natural environment, making it unlikely that its population is in danger.
