Crested Oropendola
Psarocolius decumanus
Large blackbird with thick triangular bill. Dark blackish plumage, fading to paler reddish-brown at rear. At a distance, appears all black. Striking yellow tail and pale blue eye. Separated from other oropendolas by combination of large size and dark color. Often found in loose flocks anywhere with some trees, including forests, edges, and even disturbed open habitats. Oropendolas are colonial nesters that build hanging woven nests. Listen for bizarre gurgling noises.
Identification
Adult males are mainly black with a chestnut rump and a tail which is bright yellow apart from two dark central feathers. There is a long narrow crest which is often difficult to see. The iris is blue and the long bill is whitish. Females are similar but smaller, duller, and crestless.
Taxonomy
There are four subspecies:
- Scientific name
- Psarocolius decumanus
- Authority
- (Pallas, 1769)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Icteridae
- Genus
- Psarocolius
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
The crested oropendola inhabits forest edges and clearings. It is a colonial breeder which builds a hanging woven nest, more than 125 cm long, high in a tree. It lays two blotched blue-grey eggs which hatch in 15–19 days, with another 24–36 days to fledging.<p>Each colony has a dominant male, which mates with most of the females following an elaborate bowing display. There may be 15-30 females and only 3-4 males. Outside the breeding season, this species is quite mobile, with some seasonal movements.<p>The distinctive songs of the male include a descending call reminiscent of sliding one's hand on a piano. Both sexes have a loud clack call.<p>The crested oropendola is a host of the Acanthocephalan intestinal parasite Apororhynchus aculeatus.
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Four-colored Bushshrike
Telophorus viridis
Beautiful bird with an olive back, red throat, and black chest band. Varies geographically: has a yellow belly in the east and an olive-green one in the west. The male has a broader chest band than the female. Found in forest undergrowth, thickets, and thick woodland. Skulking bird that is most often located by voice: a perky “du-do-whit.” Range does not overlap with the similar Doherty’s Bushshrike.
Tacarcuna Warbler
Basileuterus tacarcunae
A nondescript warbler with a very small range near the border of Panama and Colombia. Dull brown overall, slightly paler buffy below, with a striped head. Poorly known and infrequently seen. Occurs in pairs or small groups in the understory of humid montane forest. Listen for a high-pitched chattering song.
Northern Black-Flycatcher
Melaenornis edolioides
A slim, long-tailed all-black flycatcher with a dark eye. Found in savanna, woodland, and cultivated areas. Single birds or pairs sit out on conspicuous perches, sometimes quite low. Very similar to Southern Black-Flycatcher, but there is virtually no overlap in range, and Northern lacks gloss in the black plumage. Distinguished from drongos by the slimmer bill and dark brown eye. Could be confused with certain black cuckooshrikes or boubous, but has a more vertical posture, and sits motionless for much longer periods. Not very vocal, but does have a pretty song of various trills, wheezes, and whistles given with long pauses between phrases.
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