Natural history and distribution of Selva Caciques (Cacicus koepckeae) in the Peruvian Amazonia

PABLO GRILLI, GUILLERMO SOAVE, ROSENDO M. FRAGA

ORNITOLOGIA NEOTROPICAL

NEOTROPICAL ORNITHOLOGICAL SOC

Lugar: ALEMANIA; Año: 2012 vol. 23

1075-4377

Abstract. ? We present new data on the distribution, habitats, social behavior, and nesting of the Selva Cacique (Cacicus koepckeae), obtained during six years of surveys at 37 sites in the departamentos Ucayali and Cusco, Amazonian Peru. Our 10 new localities for this cacique were close to smaller rivers, at altitudes of 340?660 m a.s.l., and had patches of Guadua sarcocarpa bamboo. Sonograms and descriptions of the song (previously unknown) and other vocalizations are presented. We found two active nests, elongated pendant bags hanging over streams, mostly built with blackish rhizomorphs of the fungus Marasmius. We observed from three to four individuals at each nest, sharing some parental duties like nest guarding and attacks to potential predators, an unusual behavior for solitary breeding caciques. The nests of Selva, Golden-winged (C. crhysopterus), and Ecuadorian (C. sclateri) caciques are similar, all suspended over water. This similarity supports the view of traditional taxonomy in suggesting a close phylogenetic relationship between the three species. Accepted 4 September 2012.Key words: Cacicus koepckeae, Selva Cacique, Icteridae, bamboo, fungal nest, social behavior, Peru