Birds · Passeriformes · Icteridae

Yellow-rumped Cacique

Cacicus cela

Least Concern

The species is abundant and widely distributed; it faces no significant short-term risk. See full glossary

The yellow-rumped cacique is a species of passerine bird of the family Icteridae native to South America. Its plumage is pale yellow and black. Males reach about 28 cm long and weigh 104 grams, while females are 23 cm and weigh 60 grams. It builds its nests hanging in isolated trees or trees close to people, so as to avoid being raided by monkeys. They are great imitators of other birds' songs, since their repertoire holds close to 200 songs.

Weight

60 g – 105 g

Size

23 cm – 28 cm

Lifespan

12 years

Diet

Omnivore

Combines animal and plant food depending on availability.

Activity

Diurnal

Active mainly during the day.

Social structure

Colony

Lives in large concentrations, often for breeding reasons.

Sighting difficulty

Easy

RainforestOmnivore Diurnal Colonial Bird Rainforest

13countries 28parks6same family

Fun facts

It sets up its colonies of hanging nests beside the nests of aggressive wasps: the wasps attack the toucans and monkeys that try to raid the nests, and in return the caciques keep the area around the wasp nest free of parasitic larvae.
It is one of the best mimics in Amazonia: a single male can work into his song the voices of more than a dozen different species, as well as mechanical sounds from the human world.

Life cycle & biology

Skeleton type: Vertebrate - internal bony skeleton (bird)
Habitat & environment: Rainforest edges, riverside forest, clearings and wooded areas of Amazonia and northern South America
Sexual maturity: 12 months
Gestation / incubation: 14 days of incubation
Litter / clutch size: 2 eggs

Sources consulted: https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cacicus_cela