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.
Identification
The streak-backed oriole (Icterus pustulatus) is a medium-sized species of passerine bird in the family Icteridae, the oropendolas, New World orioles, and New World blackbirds. It is found in Mexico, in Central America from Guatemala to Costa Rica, and occasionally in the United States.
Taxonomy
Genus: Icterus; Family: Icteridae; Order: Passeriformes.
- 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
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: stable.
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Yellow-billed Blue-Magpie
Urocissa flavirostris
The southwestern counterpart of the Red-billed Blue-Magpie, this colorful long-tailed corvid also forages in noisy flocks. Similar in coloration to Red-billed, but Yellow-billed is paler blue overall, with a small white patch at the back of the crown instead of an extensive white stripe, and a bright yellow bill instead of a scarlet one. Primarily found in Himalayan hill forest, with disjunct populations in northwestern Myanmar and northern Vietnam.
Broad-tailed Paradise-Whydah
Vidua obtusa
Lays its eggs in the nests of Orange-winged Pytilia. The distinctive breeding male has a long, broad tail. Non-breeding males and females are nondescript sparrow-like birds with striped heads and pale underparts. Found in broadleaf woodland, mainly miombo. Most records are of the conspicuous and easily identified breeding-plumaged males. Mimics the inconspicuous vocalizations of its host Orange-winged Pytilia. Breeding male is similar to Eastern Paradise-Whydah, but has a shorter and broader tail, and darker buff and rufous coloration on the nape and breast. Non-breeding male and female are very similar to Eastern, but have a paler bill and lack strong “comma” marks on the cheek. Also similar to female and non-breeding male indigobirds, but larger.
Amazonian Antpitta
Myrmothera berlepschi
Lowland rainforest antpitta of secondary growth. Typical antpitta shape, with long legs, almost no tail, and a plump body. Light brown above, white with diffuse brown streaking below, and a tawny wash on the face and breast. Lighter and more orangey than the similar Thrush-like Antpitta, which prefers more mature forest habitat. Does not have a strong facial pattern like other lowland antpittas. Secretive and difficult to see; listen for its song, a series of 3-5 loud “coop” notes.
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