Nesting colonies often contain active Polistine wasp nests-being in the proximity of a wasp nest offers protection from botflies and mammals. Chicks fledge at approximately 25 days old, and usually only one chick fledges successfully. Females lay two pale blue or white eggs blotched with dark markings, and incubate the eggs for 13-15 days. Breeding colonies can contain 2 to 250 nests. In colonies, nests are often tightly clustered together, even to the point of touching each other. There is much competition in colonies for optimal nesting sites, copulation with females and singing perches for males. Yellow-rumped Caciques make complex, hanging woven nests, 30-45 cm long and pendular-shaped, similar to those of oropendolas but shorter and more oblong. Yellow-rumped Caciques are polygynous, meaning males mate with multiple females thus, females are responsible for building the nest, incubation and caring for young and males take no role in any aspect of parental care. The Yellow-rumped Cacique has three recognized subspecies. Read more about the Yellow-rumped Cacique’s complex vocalizations and interesting vocal facts here. Males are territorial and counter-sing to establish dominance. Their vocalizations also vary geographically. Colonies share 5-7 song dialects which vary colony to colony. On occasion, they will even mimic other birds. They are often detected by their calls, giving a wide variety of vocalizations including liquid whistling, burbling calls, churrs, squeaks and ear-piercing sharp notes. Yellow-rumped Caciques feed on insects and fruit, also nectar and seeds. They are very social and garrulous birds they forage in groups and nest in colonies, often with closely-related oropendolas (especially Chestnut-headed Oropendolas). They are a lowland species, found from sea level to 700 meters. Yellow-rumped Caciques can be found in the middle and upper levels of forest, woodlands and open areas with large trees, riversides and along lakes and fields. Juveniles have dark eyes and a brown bill base. There is a pronounced size difference between males and females-males are significantly larger than females. Males and females have similar plumage, although the male’s plumage is brighter and the male has a short, thin crest. It has a bright yellow lower back, rump and vent, with yellow “epaulets” or shoulder patches. Like other caciques, it has mainly black plumage and a large, pale bill it shares the Scarlet-rumped Cacique’s pale blue eyes. The Yellow-rumped Cacique is a very attractive and gregarious bird-at nearly a foot in length, it is a large member of the blackbird family.
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