|
|
ORIOLES AND BLACKBIRDS
- ICTERIDAE - PART I
Oropendolas to Oriole Blackbird
 |
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) |
 |
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) |
Website design and all photos
copyright Nick Athanas
For questions,
comments, or photograph licensing info, please email 
|