North American cacique (SciiFii)

The North American cacique (Cacicus virginianus), also known as the pale-winged cacique and the gray-winged cacique, is a species of passerine bird in the New World blackbird family Icteridae, most closely related to the yellow-rumped cacique, that originally did not exist, but has since been created by SciiFii and introduced throughout the rainforests, wetlands, forests, and open woodlands across North America to help boost biodiversity. The male is on average 28 centimetres (11 inches) long and weighs about 104 grams (3.7 oz), with the female 23 centimetres (9.1 inches) long and weighing approximately 60 grams (2.1 oz). The North American cacique is a slim bird, with a long tail, reddish-orange eyes, and a pale gray pointed bill. It has mainly black plumage, apart from a dull pale rump, tail base, lower belly and wing "epaulets". The female is duller black than the male, and the juvenile bird resembles the female, but has dark eyes and a brown bill base. The song of the male North American cacique is a brilliant mixture of fluting notes with cackles, wheezes and sometimes mimicry. There are also many varied calls, and an active colony can be heard from a considerable distance. The North American cacique is an omnivorous and gregarious bird, which mainly feeds on a wide range of insects and fruits. It is a colonial breeder, with up to 100 bag-shaped nests in a tree, which usually also contains an active wasp nest. The females build the nests, incubate, and care for the young. Each nest is 30–45 cm long and widens at the base, and is suspended from the end of a branch. Females compete for the best sites near the protection of the wasp nest. The normal clutch is three dark-blotched pale blue or white eggs. Females begin incubating after laying the third egg; hatching occurs after 13 or 14 days. The young fledge in 34 to 40 days, usually only one or two per nest. The conservation status of the North American cacique is Least Concern due to successful conservation efforts, the North American cacique's wide range and its tolerance to many of the human activities.
Category:Animals
Category:Species
Category:SciiFii