Here is another colourful bird from the Mexican rainforest (see also Golden-cheeked woodpecker) – a Yellow-winged Cacique (Cassiculus melanicterus) or sometimes called the Crested or Mexican Cacique – pronounced ‘ka-seek’. This yellow and black, jay or magpie sized bird is a resident of western Mexico and a few small parts of northern Guatemala. It is quite vociferous, especially when there are several around squabbling over food. Confrontation is also when they will often flash their long, black crest, possibly trying to make themselves look bigger, to ward off rivals, otherwise you will often just get glimpses of it flopping around as they hop from branch to branch. They build amazing looking, hanging bulbous nests – which they use between May and August – that are about 60 to 80cm long and look so perilous hanging high in a tall tree, often being blown by the wind, but they must be exceptionally strong to be able stay there, even long after use. (see below).
