From Opus

Bahama Oriole
Photo by Gavin Bieber
Location: Andros Island, Bahamas, September 2007.

Icterus northropi

[edit] Identification

[edit] Adult

• Black
• Yellow on rump, vent and shoulders

[edit] Immatures

Non-descript buffy-brownish and can be confusing compared to both adults and other oriole species.

[edit] Similar species

Yellow extending further forward on the underside than any other species of the Greater Antillean Oriole complex.

[edit] Distribution

Endemic to Bahamas (Andros, Great Abaco and Little Abaco).

Seems sensitive to nest predation by Shiny Cowbird, so far with the most severe consequences in Bahamas where the bird is threatened.

[edit] Taxonomy

This is a monotypic species.
It was formerly a part of Greater Antillean Oriole.

[edit] Habitat

Often found near palms from sea level up to mid elevation.

[edit] Behaviour

Palms are used both for nesting and for foraging. Food includes fruit, nectar, insects, and flowers.

Song activity just after dawn but is not common.

[edit] References

1. Clements, JF. 2010. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to December 2010. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019. Spreadsheet available at http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/Clements%206.5.xls/view
2. Thread in the Taxonomy forum discussing the possible splitting of this species
3. This page at Birdlife International relates a proposal to split all four Greater Antillean Orioles into separate species, and raise concern for the Bahamas form
4. 51st supplement to the AOU checklist of North American birds

• List of references

[edit] External Links