Oropendola

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The oropendolas comprise two or three genera of South and Central American passerine birds in the New World blackbird family.

There are at least nine species in the genus Psarocolius:

Russet-backed Oropendola, Psarocolius angustifrons
Dusky-green Oropendola, Psarocolius atrovirens
Pará Oropendola, Psarocolius bifasciatus
Crested Oropendola, Psarocolius decumanus
Black Oropendola, Psarocolius guatimozinus
Casqued Oropendola, Psarocolius oseryi
Green Oropendola, Psarocolius viridis
Chestnut-headed Oropendola, Psarocolius wagleri
Olive Oropendola, Psarocolius yuracares

The three species in the genus Gymnostinops are now more often considered as members of Psarocolius. They are;

Montezuma Oropendola, Psarocolius montezuma or Gymnostinops montezuma
Baudo Oropendola, Psarocolius cassini or Gymnostinops cassini
Amazonian Oropendola, Psarocolius bifasciatus or Gymnostinops bifasciatus

The final species is:

Band-tailed Oropendola, Ocyalus latirostris

All the oropendolas are large birds with pointed bills, and long tails which are always at least partially bright yellow. Males are usually larger than females.

The plumage is typically chestnut or dark brown, although the Green and Olive Oropendolas have, as their names imply, an olive coloration to the head, breast and upper back. The legs are dark, but the bill is usually a strikingly contrasting feature, either pale yellow, or red-tipped with a green or black base. In several species there is also a blue or pink bare cheek patch.

Oropendolas are birds associated with forests or, for a few species, more open woodland. They are colonial breeders, with several long woven basket nests in a tree, each hanging from the end of a branch.

These gregarious birds eat large insects and fruit. They are very vocal, producing a wide range of songs, sometimes including mimicry.

References

New World Blackbirds by Jaramillo and Burke, ISBN 0-7136-4333-1
Birds of Venezuela by Hilty, ISBN 0-7136-6418-5
Birds of Trinidad and Tobago by ffrench, ISBN 0-7136-6759-1
A guide to the birds of Costa Rica by Stiles and Skutch ISBN 0-0814-9600-4

External links

[Oropendola videos] on the Internet Bird Collection

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