Yellow-Rumped Cacique
Cacicus cela
A black-and-yellow South American bird that weaves hanging nests in colonies, often next to wasp nests for protection.
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About the Yellow-Rumped Cacique
Yellow-rumped caciques are black with a blue sheen, yellow patches on the wings and rump, blue eyes and a pale bill. Males are about 11 inches long and females about 9. They live at forest edges and savannas in northern South America, and eat insects, small animals, fruit and nectar. Females weave pouch-shaped nests that hang from trees.[1]
Quick facts
- Scientific name
- Cacicus cela[1]
- Size
- Males about 11 inches; females about 9 inches.[1]
- Diet
- Omnivore. Insects, small vertebrates, fruit and nectar.[1]
- Habitat
- Forest edges and savannas.[1]
- Where it lives
- Northern South America.[1]
- Group life
- Nests in colonies of 2 to 250 nests.[1]
- Babies
- The female builds the nest and raises a clutch of two eggs.[1]
- Conservation status
- Least Concern (IUCN Red List, assessed 2020).[2]
Fun facts
Vocabulary
- mimic
- To copy the sounds or looks of something else.
- colony
- A large group of animals of one kind that live or nest together.
- rump
- The lower back of a bird, just above the tail.
- gregarious
- Liking to be in groups.
- least concern
- A conservation label meaning a species is widespread and not at risk of dying out soon.
See it in person
- San Francisco Zoo & GardensSan Francisco, California · BirdsSee this animal on the zoo's website ↗
These zoos had this animal when we gathered our information, but animals sometimes move. Check the zoo's website or contact the zoo before you visit.
Sources
- [1] San Francisco Zoo & Gardens. “Yellow-rumped cacique.” https://www.sfzoo.org/yellow-rumped-cacique/ (accessed 2026-10-02)
- [2] IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. “Cacicus cela (Yellow-rumped Cacique).” https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/103792683/138350097 (accessed 2026-10-02)
Facts last checked 2026-10-02.
