- Icterus portoricensis
Identification
Adult
- Black
- Yellow on rump, vent and shoulders
Immatures
Non-descript buffy-brownish and can be confusing compared to both adults and other oriole species.
Similar species
The least yellow on rump, with upper rump black compared to other species of the Greater Antillean Oriole complex.
Distribution
Endemic to Puerto Rico.
Seems sensitive to nest predation by Shiny Cowbird, so far with the most severe consequences in Bahamas where the bird is threatened.
Taxonomy
This is a monotypic species[1].
It was formerly a part of Greater Antillean Oriole.
Habitat
Often found near palms from sea level up to mid elevation.
Behaviour
Palms are used both for nesting and for foraging.
Diet
Food consists mostly of fruit, nectar, insects, and flowers.
Vocalisation
Song activity just after dawn but is not common.
References
- Clements, J. F., P. C. Rasmussen, T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, T. A. Fredericks, J. A. Gerbracht, D. Lepage, A. Spencer, S. M. Billerman, B. L. Sullivan, M. Smith, and C. L. Wood. 2024. The eBird/Clements checklist of Birds of the World: v2024. Downloaded from https://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- Thread in the Taxonomy forum discussing the possible splitting of this species
- 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
- 51st supplement to the AOU checklist of North American birds
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2025) Puerto Rican Oriole. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 4 May 2025 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Puerto_Rican_Oriole
External Links
GSearch checked for 2020 platform.1
