Philippine Oriole
Oriolus steerii
A medium-sized bird of lowland and foothill forest and edge. Olive-yellow above with a gray chest, a heavily streaked belly, bright yellow under the base of the tail, a red bill, and orange eyes. Races differ, with Sulu birds being brighter yellow above and having light streaking on the pale gray chest. The only other oriole in range is Black-naped Oriole, which has bright yellow underparts. Song consists of typical oriole-like, medium-pitched notes, some given singly and others in short, melodic phrases.
Identification
The Philippine oriole is a yellowish-brown bird with mainly thin feathers on the upper side of its body, a red beak and red eyes as well.
Taxonomy
First described by Richard Bowdler Sharpe in 1877, the Philippine oriole is a member of the genus Oriolus. Some authorities have considered it to be conspecific with, or as a subspecies of, the dark-throated oriole. These two species may form a superspecies with the Isabela oriole.<p>Five subspecies are recognized:
- Scientific name
- Oriolus steerii
- Authority
- Sharpe, 1877
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Oriolidae
- Genus
- Oriolus
Range and habitat
Endemic to the Philippines, the Philippine oriole is found in forest, forest edge and second growth in the lowlands of Masbate, Samar, Leyte, Semirara Island, Negros, Bohol, Mindanao, Basilan and the Sulu Archipelago.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
This species, as much like with other orioles, tend to have a diet of mainly grass, flowers and similar food.
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
Magellanic Tapaculo
Scytalopus magellanicus
Often heard but rarely seen; a retiring little gray bird of bamboo thickets and other dense shrubbery at forest edges and along streams, mainly in humid areas. Occurs locally in boulders and low scrub, mainly in the Andes. Can move very quickly through bamboo like a mouse. Plumage is slaty gray overall, often with some paler or brownish barring; some birds have a silvery-white cap or a few white head spots. Best told from Dusky Tapaculo, which has a limited range overlap by voice. Also compare with Ochre-flanked Tapaculo.
Swainson's Hawk
Buteo swainsoni
Longer-winged than Red-tailed Hawk, but otherwise the same size. Found in prairies and agricultural regions of western U.S. and Canada in warm months. Varies in color from rather pale with white belly to completely brown. Light morph is more common with brown breast band contrasting with white throat and belly. In flight from below, note dark primaries and secondaries contrasting with whitish forewing of light morph. Winters in South America and along Pacific coast of Central America. Extremely rare in U.S. in winter.
Buckley's Forest-Falcon
Micrastur buckleyi
Elusive falcon of lowland and foothill rainforest east of the Andes. Note black upperparts, white underparts, white hindcollar, and dull yellow face. Female may show white spots on wings. Immature is barred underneath with brownish nape. Adult is very similar to pale morph Collared Forest-Falcon but slightly smaller; ID is best confirmed by voice. Typical song of Buckley’s is “kawah, koh”, sometimes followed by a lower “koh” note. Usually stays inside forest and is infrequently seen.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.