Yellow-tailed Oriole

The Yellow-tailed Oriole, a vibrant passerine bird, graces the New World with its presence. This species, Icterus mesomelas by scientific nomenclature, boasts a striking plumage primarily of yellow, contrasted by a black back, lower face, and upper breast. Its wings are adorned with black and yellow epaulets, while the tail presents a black hue with yellow margins when viewed from above, and appears almost entirely yellow from beneath. This unique tail coloration is the hallmark of the species. Both sexes share a similar appearance, but the juveniles can be distinguished by their olive-green replacing the black on the back and tail.

Identification Tips

When identifying the Yellow-tailed Oriole, look for its size of 22–23 cm in length and a weight of around 70 g. The combination of yellow and black in the plumage, especially the distinctive yellow tail, is a key characteristic. The bird's black wings with yellow epaulets are also notable.

Habitat

This oriole favors dense thickets often intertwined with vines, Heliconias, and other dense growths, typically found in swampy lowlands.

Distribution

The Yellow-tailed Oriole breeds from southern Mexico to western Peru and northwestern Venezuela. In Peru, it is also known to inhabit a river valley corridor.

Behaviour

These birds are often seen foraging in pairs or small groups, preferring denser vegetation than most of their oriole relatives. They are known to build deep but thin cup nests, usually about 2 meters off the ground in thorny scrub near streams.

Song & Calls

The vocal repertoire of the Yellow-tailed Oriole includes a "chick" and a "weechaw." Its song is a melodious sequence of rich whistles and "chuck, chuck-yeeaow" sounds, frequently performed as a duet with the female responding to or overlapping the male's longer phrases.

Breeding

The nesting process involves constructing a deep yet thin cup nest in which the female lays three dark-blotched white eggs. These eggs hatch in 13 days, with fledging occurring after an additional 14 days.

Similar Species

While there are no similar species mentioned, the unique yellow tail of this oriole serves as a distinguishing feature from other orioles.

Diet and Feeding

The Yellow-tailed Oriole's diet consists mainly of insects, but it also indulges in nectar and certain fruits, such as those from the gumbo-limbo tree.

Conservation Status

Currently listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, the Yellow-tailed Oriole is fairly common across most of its range. However, there is a noted decline in numbers in some areas due to the cage-bird trade, as this species is sought after for its striking appearance and melodious song.