Yellow-backed Oriole

The Yellow-backed Oriole, Icterus chrysater, presents a striking yellow and black plumage. This medium-sized oriole, averaging 21.5 cm in length, is sexually monomorphic, meaning males and females are similar in appearance. Adults boast a vivid yellow back and underparts, with contrasting black wings, tail, shoulders, throat, and face. The bill is black, transitioning to bluish-grey at the base of the mandible, and the skin and claws are bluish-black. Females are slightly greenish in their yellow areas, while juveniles are greener overall with dark brown flight feathers and an olive eye-line.

Identification Tips

In the field, sexing this species can be challenging due to the subtle differences in plumage between males and females. Juveniles can be distinguished from adults by their greener plumage and olive eye-line. The South American Yellow Oriole (Icterus nigrogularis) is a similar species but can be differentiated by range and specific plumage characteristics.

Habitat

The Yellow-backed Oriole is adaptable to various habitats but shows a preference for open, mixed pine-oak woodlands and dry scrub forests. It can also be found in banana plantations and occasionally in lowland deciduous forests.

Distribution

This species inhabits Central America and northern South America, with three allopatric populations across southern Central America, northern Central America, and southern Mexico. Countries within its range include Belize, Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, and Venezuela. Typically found below 900 m in altitude, it can also reside at elevations above 1,000 m, with an observed upper limit of around 3,000 m.

Behaviour

Yellow-backed Orioles may form small flocks of up to eight individuals, likely family units, and can join mixed-species flocks. They are monogamous, breeding once annually with a single mate.

Song & Calls

The species is known for its clear, whistling voice, with a song similar to that of the Spot-breasted Oriole. Songs consist of clear notes, sometimes becoming warbled. Both sexes sing, a trait common in tropical breeding orioles. Calls include a nasal "chert," a whistling chatter, and a nasal alarm.

Breeding

Nests are shallow, basket-like structures, often attached to palm fronds or the canopy of mature trees at least 7 m high. The eggs are whitish with purple markings and brown lines, concentrated near the broad end.

Similar Species

The South American Yellow Oriole is the most similar species but can be distinguished by its geographic range and specific plumage details.

Diet and Feeding

Primarily insectivorous, the Yellow-backed Oriole feeds on caterpillars, wasps, ants, weevils, and other arthropods, supplementing its diet with bananas and nectar from balsa and Heliconia. It forages in pairs or family units, probing tree bark or epiphyte leaves for insects and engaging in "nectar robbing" to access nectar from flowers.

Conservation status

The Yellow-backed Oriole is currently listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, indicating it is not at immediate risk of widespread decline.