Black Oropendola
Psarocolius guatimozinus
Distinctive large oropendola with a small range from eastern Panama into Colombia. Overall black with dark chestnut on back and wings. It has an orange-tipped bill with large patch of blue skin at the base. Sexes similar. Found in pairs or small groups in the canopy or subcanopy of lowland forest and edge up to 800 m elevation. Often found along rivers. Like other oropendolas, builds large hanging nests. Recalls Montezuma Oropendola but no range overlap; also compare with rare Baudó Oropendola, which has pink (not blue) patch on the face.
Identification
The male black oropendola grows to a length of about 46 cm (18 in) and the female about 39.5 cm (15.6 in). The sexes are similar in appearance and are mainly black, with dark chestnut back, rump, part of the wing-coverts and crissum (the area around the cloaca). There is a bluish bare patch on the cheek, edged with pink at its lowest extremity, and an orange-tipped, black beak.
Taxonomy
Genus: Psarocolius; Family: Icteridae; Order: Passeriformes.
- Scientific name
- Psarocolius guatimozinus
- Authority
- (Bonaparte, 1853)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Icteridae
- Genus
- Psarocolius
Range and habitat
The black oropendola is endemic to humid forests of northwestern South America. Its range includes northwestern Colombia, as far east as the Magdalena River, and the extreme southeastern part of Panama, a total area of occupancy of about 108,000 km2 (41,700 sq mi). Its altitudinal range is up to about 800 m (2,620 ft).
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: declining.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
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