- Psarocolius decumanus
Identification
Length: 15-17" (38-43 cm)
The male is larger than the female. Black with chestnut rump and undertail coverts, yellow tail (except central feathers), pale yellow bill, blue eye.
Similar species
Photo © by Marcelo Padua
Photographed along the Transpantaneira, Pantanal, Brazil
Chestnut-headed Oropendola is smaller, with chestnut head and neck (only visible in good light), more extensive chestnut on underside, and a tail where the outermost web of outer tail feathers are dusky.
Distribution
Central and South America and the Caribbean:
Found in Panama and Trinidad and Tobago south to to Bolivia, northern Argentina and southern Brazil.
Taxonomy
If the genus Gymnostinax for the Montezuma Oropendola and its closest relatives were considered valid, this species would probably belong there too.
Subspecies
There are 4 subspecies[1]:
- P. d. melanterus:
- P. d. insularis:
- P. d. decumanus:
- P. d. maculosus:
Habitat
Forests, woodlands, open areas with scattered trees
Behaviour
Each colony has a dominant male, who mates with most of the females following an elaborate bowing display. There may be 15-30 females and only 3-4 males. Outside the breeding season, this species is quite mobile, with some seasonal movements.
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, D. Roberson, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2018. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: v2018. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- Ridgely & Gwynne 1989. Birds of Panama. Princeton Paperbacks. ISBN 0691025126
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2021) Crested Oropendola. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 29 April 2021 from https://www.birdforum.net/wiki/Crested_Oropendola
External Links
