Yellow-rumped Cacique

Cacicus cela
Gelbbürzelkassike

Classification: New World blackbirds
Distribution: Panama to north and central South America
Size: 24 – 32 cm
Clutch size: 2 eggs
Incubation: 24 – 30 days
Diet: fruit, large insects

Yellow-rumped Caciques live in large colonies with a strong hierarchy. Only males with high rank, also with a higer bodymass, succeed in breeding. While caring for the females they lose weight and consequently their rank. Males of low rank are forced to the brink of the colony. There, they function as a guard for the colony. Cacique nesting trees often also host nests of stinging wasps which act as a deterrent against nest predators.