ORIOLES AND BLACKBIRDS   -   ICTERIDAE   -   PART I

Russet-backed Oropendola Psarocolius angustifrons angustifrons Lumbaqui, Sucumbíos province, Ecuador. One of the dullest of the family (though some of the other races are more brightly colored, see below). They are very common in NW South America in both the Andes and Amazon, where they form large nesting colonies. This bird is in the middle of it's display, where it throws itself forward, lifts its crest & wings, and emits a wierd gurgling noise. (S5)

Russet-backed Oropendola Psarocolius angustifrons angustifrons Napo Wildlife Center, Orellana province, Ecuador. (D2)

Russet-backed Oropendola Psarocolius angustifrons angustifrons Napo Wildlife Center, Orellana province, Ecuador. This is some interesting display behavior that I haven't seen before. The bird was perched in a nesting tree with many other individuals around, but it did not seem to be directing this display to anyone in particular. (D2)

Russet-backed Oropendola Psarocolius angustifrons salmoni RNA Arrierito Antioqueño, Anorí, Antioquia department, Colombia. The racial variation in the species is pretty amazing. This is the subspecies occurring in the western and central Andes of Colombia, looking completely different from the nominate race in the first two photos. Some people have suggested that some of the races deserve full species status, but I don't think anyone has done a serious study on the species. (D3)

Montezuma Oropendola Psarocolius montezuma Arenal Observatory Lodge, Alajuela province, Costa Rica. The only oropendola through most of Central and Middle America, and arguably the prettiest of them all. (S5)

Montezuma Oropendola Psarocolius montezuma La Selva OTS, Heredia province, Costa Rica. Another shot of one feeding on nectar from an Erythrina tree. (D2)

Yellow-rumped Cacique Cacicus cela cela Napo Wildlife Center, Orellana province, Ecuador. An abundant bird though the Amazon region, and a few other places in northern South America. Like oropendolas, they form big nesting colonies, often in the same trees. They are accomplished mimics, and it's fun to listen to them in the nesting trees, doing everything from Roadside Hawk to Dwarf Tyrant-Manakin. (D2)

Red-rumped Cacique Cacicus haemorrhous affinis Estação Veracruz, Porto Seguro, Bahia state, Brazil. Here's a pair building a nest in an Atlantic Forest area in Brazil. They are often rather common in the Atlantic Forest, but in the Amazon region, where they occur together with Yellow-rumped Cacique (C. cela), they are generally much less common and often local. (D3)

Yellow-billed Cacique Amblycercus holosericeus holosericeus North of Mapastepec, Chiapas state, Mexico. One of the shiest members of this family, usually staying in dense cover. It occurs in a wide range of habitats, from humid lowlands of Mexico to bamboo thickets in the high Andes. (S5)

Venezuelan Troupial Icterus icterus icterus Bruzual, Apure state, Venezuela. The national bird of Venezuela, and I can certainly respect that choice. Beautiful to look and with a lovely song as well. It also occurs in Trinidad and extreme NE Colombia. (D3)

Orange-backed Troupial Icterus croconotus strictifrons Pixaim, Mato Grosso state, Brazil. They were bathing at the edge of the river, but unfortunately flew away before we could get closer. (S5)

Epaulet (Moriche) Oriole Icterus cayanensis chrysocephalus Iwokrama Field Station, Region 8, Guyana. Currently lumped with the nominate race, which lacks the yellow crown. (D3)

Baltimore Oriole Icterus galbula Rancho Naturalista, Cartago province, Costa Rica. A familiar bird to North Americans. Here it's on it's wintering grounds enjoying the pleasant climate of the Costa Rican foothills. (D3)

Baltimore Oriole Icterus galbula Rancho Naturalista, Cartago province, Costa Rica. (D3)

Altamira Oriole Icterus gularis gularis Zipolite, Oaxaca state, Mexico. (S5)

Yellow Oriole Icterus nigrogularis nigrogularis Annai, Region 9, Guyana. An oriole of dry areas of far northern South American between Panama and the Amazon river. (D3)

Mountain Grackle Macroagelaius subalaris Reserva Reinita Cielo Azul, Santander department, Colombia. A super-rare bird of high cloudforest in the eastern Andes of Colombia. It is closely related to Golden-tufted Grackle (M. imthurni) of the Tepui region, with a very similar voice, but due to the huge distance separating them they are usually kept as separate species. This is one of the only photos of this bird ever taken in the wild. (D3)

Oriole Blackbird Gymnomystax mexicanus Calabozo-San Fernando highway, Guárico state, Venezuela. This one has a rather odd distribution. Throughout the Amazon region, it is found along major rivers, especially on river islands. However, it is also common in the Llanos, where it is found in open ranchland not necessarily near rivers. With the clearance of the Amazon rainforest, one would expect it to expand it's range south and east, but I have personally noticed that happening. (D3)

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