White-edged Oriole
Icterus graceannae
Bright orange-and-black bird found in dry forest in western Ecuador and northwestern Peru. The only other oriole in its range is Yellow-tailed Oriole; White-edged lacks yellow on the underside of the tail, has more extensive white in the wing, and is usually (but not always) a deeper orange color. Juveniles are duller and less orange. Forages conspicuously in the trees, and even visits feeders in some areas.
Identification
Icterus graceannae was named in 1867 by naturalist John Cassin in honor of his protege, pioneer American female ornithologist Graceanna Lewis. His description of the species first appeared in print in the Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences, published in Philadelphia in 1867.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Icterus graceannae
- Authority
- Cassin, 1867
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Icteridae
- Genus
- Icterus
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
Due to its reasonably broad distribution and the diversity of its suitable habitat, most experts consider the threat of significant population decline to be minimal. The global population sizes and population changes have yet to be quantitatively measured. The species remains listed as Least Concern by Birdlife International.
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Tristram's Storm-Petrel
Hydrobates tristrami
Dark brown, fork-tailed seabird of the northwestern and central Pacific, where it breeds on Japanese and Hawaiian islands. Generally forages far offshore and does not associate with boats. Dark chocolate-brown overall with prominent pale carpal bars. In optimal light, rump is slightly paler than the plumage of the back and tail, unlike in Markham’s and Leach’s Storm-Petrels; in fresh plumage, note gray sheen to head and back. Lacks the distinctively pale primary shafts of Matsudaira's and Swinhoe’s Storm-Petrels.
Chestnut-throated Huet-huet
Pteroptochos castaneus
Fairly common but elusive; heard far more often than seen. Favors native temperate forest and adjacent shrubbery, especially bamboo. Feeds on the ground by scratching with its big feet in leaf litter, and runs very quickly and stealthily. Agitated birds can call loudly from middle level perches, cocking their tail. Nests in burrows, but can nest high up in tree hollows. Plumage distinctive, with pale eyering, deep rusty throat and breast, and blue gray back. No range overlap with Black-throated Huet-huet.
Sri Lanka Woodshrike
Tephrodornis affinis
Small gray songbird with heavy bill, dark mask, and white eyebrow. Underparts pale whitish; in flight note white rump. Inhabits wooded areas and scrub in lowland and lower hills, mostly in the Dry Zone of Sri Lanka; avoids dense, wet forests. Arboreal species usually encountered in pairs or small groups. Pale eyebrow and plain underparts aid identification from similarly heavy-billed (but larger) Large Woodshrike. Vocalizations include soft “chup” notes; song a resonant series, “wee-wee-weet-weet”, accelerating then decelerating. Varies in rapidity of notes and number of notes in series.
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