Altamira Oriole

Altamira Oriole, Bentsen State PK., TX, March

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Altamira Oriole, first-year

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1. Description
2. Sound
3. Conservation Status
4. Other Names
5. Cool Facts
6. Full detailed species account

The Altamira Oriole is a bird of Mexico and Central America whose range just reaches into southern Texas. The largest oriole occurring in the United States, it makes the longest nest of any North American bird: its woven basket-like nest can reach 65 cm (25.5 in) in length.

Description

• Bright orange and black.
• Long tail.
• Black bib.
• Back black.
• White wingbar and spot in black wings.

• Size: 21-25 cm (8-10 in)
• Wingspan: 36 cm (14 in)
• Weight: 47-64 g (1.66-2.26 ounces)

Sex Differences

Sexes look alike.

Sound

Song a series of clear, slow musical whistles. Calls harsh whistles, rasping chatter, and nasal "ike."

Conservation Status

Listed as threatened by the Texas Organization for Endangered Species. Common in the southern part of its range.

Other Names

Oriole a gros bec (French)
Bolsero campero, Chiltote de gargantinegra (Spanish)
Lichtenstein's Oriole, Black-throated Oriole (English)

Cool Facts

• The Altamira Oriole has been observed foraging for dead grasshoppers on the fronts of cars.
• The Altamira Oriole is a solitary nester, with an average of a quarter kilometer (800 ft) between nests. Despite this wide spacing, it is not known to be territorial, and almost no aggression has been observed during the breeding season.

Sources used to construct this page:

Pleasants, B. Y. 1993. Altamira Oriole (Icterus gularis). In The Birds of North America, No. 56 (A. Poole and F. Gill, Eds.). Philadelphia: The Academy of Natural Sciences; Washington, D.C.: The American Ornithologists' Union.