From Opus

Icterus mesomelas

Photo by edenwatcher
Photo taken: Sozoranga, Ecuador.

[edit] Identification

Length: 9" (23 cm). Mostly bright yellow with black back, wings (except for yellow patch) and tail (except for yellow outer feathers).

[edit] Distribution

Southeastern Mexico to northwestern Venezuela and northeastern Peru.

[edit] Taxonomy

There are four subspecies.

• Nominate I. m. mesomelas - Mexico to Honduras - yellow fringes to the tertials

• I. m. salvinii - Nicaragua and Costa Rica, - no yellow fringes to the tertials ; more orange than the nominate race.

• I. m. carrikeri - Panama, Colombia and northwestern Venezuela - like salvinii, - less orange and smaller-billed.

• I. m. taczanowskiis - Ecuador to western Peru- white fringes to the tertials.

[edit] Habitat

Thickets, woodlands, open areas with trees near water, in lowlands.

[edit] Behaviour

The diet includes mainly insects, though some nectar and fruits.

It builds a deep, thin cup in thorny scrub by a stream. 3 dark-blotched white eggs are laid, and incubated for 13 days with a further 14 days to fledging.

[edit] External Links