Streak-backed Oriole
Icterus pustulatus
Usually the commonest orange-and-black oriole of tropical lowlands and foothills along the Pacific coast of Mexico and Central America; also occurs in dry interior valleys. Very rare in the southwestern U.S. Found in tropical woodland and edges, plantations, towns, gardens, and semiopen areas with hedges and scattered trees. Slightly larger and bulkier than slenderer and longer-tailed Hooded Oriole, with straighter bill, more extensive white edgings to the wing feathers, and variable dark streaking on the back (faint in northern birds, heavy in southern birds, and sometimes almost solidly black). Both sexes have black throat patch, lacking on female Hooded. Some immature Streak-backed can be quite dull yellowish but usually still show faint streaks on the back; compare with Bullock's Oriole.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Icterus pustulatus
- Authority
- (Wagler, 1829)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Icteridae
- Genus
- Icterus
Range and habitat
It is native to Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico and an occasional visitor to the Southwestern United States.<p>Its natural habitat consists of woodland, savanna, grassland and shrubland. It prefers open arid woodland, typically with a strong presence of mimosa.
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Olive-bellied Sunbird
Cinnyris chloropygius
Small sunbird in which males are colorful, green and red, and females drab brownish. Males have yellow shoulder tufts that are usually hidden. Found in forest clearings, along forest edge, and in woodland, moist savanna, gardens, and brush. Often feeds on low flowers. The song is a quick, high-pitched jumble. Similar to Tiny Sunbird, but larger, with a shorter and more curved bill, and males are less bluish above. Male very similar to male double-collared sunbirds, but lacks blue or purple band above the red on the breast.
Island Imperial-Pigeon
Ducula pistrinaria
A large, long-necked pigeon, more uniformly gray than other imperial-pigeons in the region. Overall very pale, with a dark blue tail, a pinkish wash to throat and chest, and a gray back and wings. Birds in the Admiralty Islands have green wings and back. Relatively coastal, preferring smaller islands. Perches conspicuously in the open. Similar to Pacific Imperial-Pigeon, but overall paler. Birds on the Admiralty Islands differ from juvenile Red-knobbed Imperial-Pigeon in their gray, not cinnamon, belly and underside. Normally heard giving a high-pitched “ahu ahu ahu ahu” call, falling in pitch and volume.
Chirruping Wedgebill
Psophodes cristatus
Plain gray plump songbird with dark tail, white wingbar, and a small forward-curving crest. In flight, shows prominent pale tail tips. Bill short and chunky, darker in adult, paler in juvenile. Note range in arid inland eastern Australia focused on the Lake Eyre Basin. Essentially identical to Chiming Wedgebill except for its voice. Song comprised of one or two quick notes followed by a rapid descending trill "(chit-)chit cheeeeeeeeeer," repeated frequently.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.