Baudo Oropendola
Psarocolius cassini
This impressively large and colorful oropendola is found only in lowland and foothill rainforest in northwestern Colombia. Its salmon-colored cheek patches along with chestnut back and belly distinguish it from Black Oropendola; also note the yellow tail and orange bill tip. Male is larger than female. Usually seen in canopy of fruiting trees in clearings and at forest edge. Song is a rising gurgle that ends in a squeak, and also gives raspy “chuck” calls.
Identification
The male Baudó oropendola is about 46.5 cm (18.3 in) in length and the female is slightly smaller at 40 cm (15.7 in). This bird is similar in appearance to the black oropendola (Psarocolius guatimozinus), being largely black with chestnut-brown upper parts, but the patches of bare skin on the cheeks are pink, the mantle and wings are more rufous-brown and the flanks are rather more chestnut.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Psarocolius cassini
- Authority
- (Richmond, 1898)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Icteridae
- Genus
- Psarocolius
Range and habitat
This species is endemic to a small area around los Saltos and de Baudó, in the Chocó Department of north-west Colombia, an area of occupancy of about 4,570 km2 (1,764 sq mi). The bird has only been observed in a few isolated locations in river valleys at the edge of humid rainforests, but more recently birds have been sighted in the river valleys of the Rio Siviru and Rio Tipicay near Bajo Baudó, and a location has been found on the coastal plain with sixty inactive nests suspended from Bactris gasipaes palms and Guazuma ulmifolia trees in secondary growth between a banana plantation and the edge of the mature forest.
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Golden Whistler
Pachycephala pectoralis
Compact songbird with short bill. Males in much of range are olive above, yellow below, with white throat set in black head; males and females on Norfolk Island are olive-brown with yellowish underparts (brightest on undertail). Females vary across range, with eastern birds having some amount of yellow on the underparts and western birds (formerly treated as full species, “Western Whistler”) being gray-brown above and pale below, lacking yellow. Olive Whistler much browner below, with well-defined whitish bib. Inhabits a great variety of habitats. Bright, whistled song varies, but often has a whip-like ending.
Josephine's Lorikeet
Charmosyna josefinae
A medium-sized, long-tailed lorikeet of foothill and lower montane forest. Red head and chest, green back, broad black line around the back of the head and a yellow undertail and tip. Similar to Fairy Lorikeet, but Josephine’s Lorikeet is distinctly larger, has a dark patch on the belly and lacks streaking on the chest. Travels in pairs or small groups looking for flowering trees where it associates with other species. Also similar to red morph Papuan Lorikeet, but Josephine’s is smaller with a much shorter tail. Call, a high-pitch, ringing “srik!” note.
California Quail
Callipepla californica
Small and rotund with obvious teardrop-shaped plumes protruding from forehead. Looks gray and brown at a distance, with white streaks on the sides and a scaly belly. Males have black face and longer, more curled crest than females. Usually seen in flocks running on the ground in open, scrubby habitats. Listen for frequent, three-noted call, audible at long distances. Separated from similar Gambel’s Quail by range; also note California has scaly belly with rusty (not black) patch and duller brown crown and sides. Native to western North America including Baja California; well-established introduced populations in Chile, Argentina, New Zealand, and Hawaii.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.