From Opus

Icterus nigrogularis

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

[edit] Identification

The Yellow Oriole, Icterus nigrogularis, is a passerine bird in the family Icteridae. It should not be confused with the Australasian Yellow Oriole, Oriolus flavocinctus, which is an Old World oriole. In Trinidad and Tobago, it is also called the 'Plantain' and 'Small Corn Bird'.

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.

[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.

[edit] Habitat

The Yellow Oriole is a bird of open woodland, scrub and gardens.

[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

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