Audubon's Oriole

The Audubon's oriole, once known as the black-headed oriole, is a striking New World passerine. It is distinguished by its unique coloration, being the only species to exhibit a black hood paired with a vibrant yellow body. This bird is a resident of the forests and thickets, where it graces the landscape with its contrasting plumage.

Identification Tips

Males of this species boast a black hood, mandible, and throat, complemented by a black tail. Their wings are also black, with the flight feathers edged in white, creating a stark contrast. The secondary coverts form conspicuous yellow epaulets. The back and vent are yellow with an olive wash, while the underside is predominantly yellow. Females are similar but have a more olive nape and back. Juveniles resemble adults but with duller brown wings, and the first-basic plumage retains the darker, greener hue of the juvenile stage.

Habitat

Audubon's oriole favors dense evergreen forests and thickets, with a particular affinity for riparian zones. While it typically stays in the shade, it may occasionally venture into clearings, especially when foraging.

Distribution

This species has two allopatric breeding ranges. The western range spans from Nayarit to southern Oaxaca, and the eastern range extends from the lower Rio Grande valley to northern Querétaro.

Behaviour

Audubon's oriole is known to join mixed-species flocks in flight, often including other orioles, jays, and tanagers. It forages in dense vegetation and is not a migratory bird, staying within its range throughout the year.

Song & calls

The oriole's song is a series of slow, melodious whistles, while its calls include a nasal "ike, ike, ike" and a whistled "peu."

Breeding

The nest is a hanging pouch or basket, woven from long grass stems and lined with finer grass. It is firmly attached to supporting twigs, with a constricted entrance. Typically, a mating pair will incubate two broods per year, each consisting of three to five eggs. Unfortunately, chicks from later broods often struggle to survive the winter.

Diet and Feeding

Audubon's oriole uses its bill to probe into soft dead wood or plants, prying them open to reveal insects within. Its diet includes insects, spiders, and fruits, and it will also visit bird feeders for sunflower seeds.

Conservation status

The IUCN Red List currently classifies Audubon's oriole as Least Concern, indicating that, at present, the species does not face any immediate threat of extinction.