Ventriloquial Oriole
Oriolus consobrinus
A streak-breasted oriole with a rather long, lipstick-pink bill. Male is yellow with a glossy black hood and dark wings. Female is olive-green above. Both sexes have dark red eyes. Limited to northern Borneo, where has at most limited overlap with the similar Dark-throated Oriole (with which it was formerly considered conspecific). Inhabits lowland and hill forests and forest edges, typically moving in the upper levels of the forest. Sometimes found singly, sometimes in pairs or mixed flocks. Song is short but fluidly melodic, often with the last note stretched out. Gives a harsh, jay-like “chew!”.
Identification
The ventriloquial oriole (Oriolus consobrinus) is a species of bird in the family Oriolidae. It is found in Southeast Asia through Borneo and on the islands of Palawan and Culion in the Philippines. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests where it is threatened by habitat loss. The ventriloquial oriole was formerly considered to be conspecific with the dark-throated oriole (Oriolus xanthonotus).
Taxonomy
Genus: Oriolus; Family: Oriolidae; Order: Passeriformes.
- Scientific name
- Oriolus consobrinus
- Authority
- Wardlaw-Ramsay, RG, 1880
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Oriolidae
- Genus
- Oriolus
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: declining.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Spotted Sandgrouse
Pterocles senegallus
A medium-sized pallid and delicately-patterned sandgrouse. Pale and sandy overall. Note male’s silver-gray eyebrow and orange cheek and throat. Female has a paler version of the male’s pattern, as well as a speckled nape and chest. Lacks breast bands, unlike Pin-tailed and Black-bellied Sandgrouse. Very similar to Crowned Sandgrouse, but note the present species’ tail filaments and different facial pattern. Note the strong contrast in two-toned underwings when in flight. Flight call is a characteristic “Waka! Waka!” Favors sandy or stony desert plains where it breeds on the ground. Congregates to drink in waterholes in the morning, often flying back and forth over long distances in large flocks.
Fox Sparrow
Passerella iliaca
Large, dark sparrow with extensive geographic variation. Larger than Song Sparrow, and generally darker with thicker streaking. Four groups of subspecies: Red (only subspecies found in eastern U.S., but breeds to Alaska), Slate-colored (Rockies), Sooty (Pacific Northwest), Thick-billed (California). Habitat varies across range, but generally breeds in forests with thick understory, often with plenty of conifers. In winter, tends to occur in dense thickets. Forages mainly on the ground in search of seeds. Visits feeders.
Alagoas Antwren
Myrmotherula snowi
Very rare antwren, unmistakable in its tiny range, likely now restricted to one complex of humid forest fragments in the Brazilian state of Alagoas. Males are gray with a blackish throat and females are cinnamon-colored. Forages in the understory and middle levels of the forest, usually accompanying remnant mixed-species flocks. The song is a high sharp series of whistles.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.