Yellow-rumped Cacique

Cacicus cela

Los Naranjos Magdalena Colombia

Quick Facts

  • Scientific Name: Cacicus cela
  • Spanish Name: Arrendajo común
  • Family: Icteridae
  • Known Nicknames: Arrendajo, Paucar, Guaxe, Yellow-backed Cacique
  • Average Length: 23–30 cm / 9–12 in
  • Average Weight: 60–110 g / 2.1–3.9 oz
  • Wingspan: 40–46 cm / 15.7–18.1 in
  • Key Feature: Vibrant yellow rump and wing patches contrasting with black plumage and pale blue eyes
  • Primary Diet: Omnivore (Fruit, insects, and nectar)
  • Range: South America, from Panama to Peru, Bolivia, and Brazil
  • Habitat: Lowland tropical forests, edges, and open woodland
  • Social Structure: Highly Social, Colonial Breeder
  • Nesting/Breeding: Long pendulous nests hanging from tree branches
  • Conservation Status: Least Concern (LC)
  • Population Trend: Stable

The Yellow-rumped Cacique (*Cacicus cela*) is a striking and highly social songbird native to the tropical lowlands of South America, instantly recognizable by its coal-black plumage contrasted with brilliant splashes of saffron-yellow on its rump, wing coverts, and tail base. Beyond its vivid appearance and piercing pale-blue eyes, this icterid is a master of mimicry, capable of weaving complex soundscapes that include the calls of other birds and even mechanical noises. These birds are famous for their colonial nesting habits, where they weave elaborate, pendulum-like basket nests high in the canopy, often strategically building them near active wasp nests to gain a layer of protection against predators like monkeys. With its sharp, ivory-colored bill and charismatic, energetic presence, the Yellow-rumped Cacique is both a visual and auditory marvel of the Amazonian rainforest.

Fun Facts

Yellow-rumped Caciques are extraordinary mimics and strategic architects, often building their pendulous, teardrop-shaped nests directly next to active wasp colonies to gain a "bodyguard" service against predators like monkeys and toucans. These birds possess a remarkable vocal range, frequently incorporating the calls of other birds, mammals, and even mechanical noises into their complex songs. Beyond their vocal talents, they exhibit a striking visual display where they puff out their brilliant yellow feathers while bowing deeply to attract mates. Their bright blue eyes are a rare trait among songbirds, and within their noisy colonies, dominant males maintain a harem-like social structure, ensuring a constant buzz of activity and complex social interactions.

Habitats & Distribution

This species is widely distributed across northern and central South America, ranging from Panama and Trinidad southward through the Amazon Basin to Bolivia and central Brazil. It primarily occupies lowland regions, typically occurring at elevations below 1,000 meters. Its range is extensive east of the Andes, though isolated populations also inhabit the Magdalena Valley of Colombia and the Maracaibo Basin in Venezuela. It thrives in open woodlands, forest edges, and clearings, particularly those located near rivers, lakes, or marshes. The species is also commonly found in human-modified landscapes such as plantations, pastures, and suburban gardens. When selecting nesting sites, it favors isolated trees or locations in close proximity to wasp nests, which provide a defensive barrier against predators in these semi-open environments.

Behaviours & Reproduction

These highly social birds are colonial nesters that operate under a polygynous mating system, where a few dominant males within a hierarchy secure the majority of mating opportunities. Females are responsible for weaving the intricate, long pendulous nests that hang in dense clusters from tree branches. To manage the high risk of predation, colonies are often established on islands or in isolated trees, and the birds frequently engage in complex vocal displays and mimicry to maintain social bonds and defend their territory. A unique reproductive strategy employed by this species is their "protective association" with aggressive social wasps. By building their nests in close proximity to wasp colonies, the caciques benefit from a formidable defense against arboreal predators like monkeys, which are deterred by the stinging insects. This strategic placement, combined with the female's sole responsibility for incubation and chick-rearing, allows the colony to maximize offspring survival within their competitive and crowded social environments.

Diet

The Yellow-rumped Cacique is an omnivorous feeder that primarily sustains itself on a varied menu of large insects, spiders, small fruits, and nectar. Foraging actively within the canopy, these birds are frequently observed probing clusters of leaves, bromeliads, and bark for hidden larvae, grasshoppers, and beetles. An intriguing aspect of their feeding behavior is their tendency to join mixed-species flocks or even follow arboreal mammals, such as monkeys, to capitalize on insects flushed from the vegetation by the larger animals. Additionally, they play a significant ecological role as both seed dispersers and pollinators, often visiting flowering trees to drink nectar while inadvertently transporting pollen on their plumage.

Colors

The Yellow-rumped Cacique displays a striking contrast of glossy black plumage and vibrant yellow patches located on the rump, lower belly, and wing coverts. Its most distinctive features include piercing pale blue eyes and a sharp, ivory-colored bill. While the bold coloration serves primarily for social signaling and courtship displays rather than camouflage, the high-contrast patterns make the bird highly visible amidst the green foliage of its tropical habitat.