From Opus

Photo by Steve G
Photo taken: Asa Wright Centre, Trinidad.

Icterus nigrogularis

Disambiguation: The name Yellow Oriole or Australian Yellow Oriole is sometimes used for Green Oriole

[edit] Identification

This is a 20-21 cm long, 38 g weight bird, with mainly yellow plumage, as its name suggests. The adult male has a black eye mask, thin black throat line, black tail and black wings with a white wing bar and some white feather edging. The female is similar but slightly duller, and the juvenile bird has an olive-tinged yellow back, and lacks black on the face.^[2]

[edit] Distribution

Northern South America in Colombia, Venezuela, Trinidad, the Guianas and northern Brazil.

[edit] Taxonomy

There are four subspecies of Yellow Oriole, of which three are restricted to islands. They differ from the widespread nominate race of the mainland in body and bill size, and minor plumage details.

• I. n. nigrogularis
• I. n. curasoensis
• I. n. helioeides
• I. n. trinitatis

[edit] Habitat

The Yellow Oriole is a bird of open woodland, scrub and gardens.^[2]

[edit] Behaviour

Nesting: Its nest is a 40 cm long hanging basket, suspended from the end of a branch. The normal clutch is three pale green or grey eggs. Diet:This species eats mainly large insects, but will also take nectar and some fruit. Voice: The song of the Yellow Oriole is a pleasant melodious fluting, with some buzzing. The calls include a cat-like whine, and chattering noises^[2]

[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. Wikipedia

• List of references

[edit] External Links