Black-backed Oriole
Icterus abeillei
Attractive orange-and-black oriole endemic to central Mexico, where it takes the place of Bullock’s Oriole (of western North America). Favors open woods, plantations, hedges with tall trees, and towns; migrants also occur in pine-oak forest in mountains. Feeds at all levels in trees and bushes, mixing readily with other orioles. Yellow-orange plumage of male distinct from purer orange of other orioles; also note the big white wing panel, black nape and cheeks, and black flanks. Female very similar to female Bullock’s Oriole but shows ghosting of male head pattern.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Icterus abeillei
- Authority
- (Lesson, RP, 1839)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Icteridae
- Genus
- Icterus
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Complete migrants
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Western Capercaillie
Tetrao urogallus
Huge gamebird of conifer forest, adjacent moorland, and clearings with shrubs, mainly in wilder areas. Mostly elusive, but occasional males go "rogue" and attack hikers. Groups of males display just after dawn in early spring, holding their tail raised and fanned like a turkey. Massive male is blackish overall with long tail, white shoulder spot. Female appreciably smaller than male, told from smaller female Black Grouse by unbarred rusty breast and bright rusty tail with black bars.
Partridge Pigeon
Geophaps smithii
Medium-sized pigeon, usually seen on the ground in open woodland or along roadsides in northwestern Northern Territory and the northern Kimberley in Western Australia. Plain brown plumage, with white stripe along the edge of the breast. Distinctive facial markings, with comical red (Northern Territory) or yellow (Western Australia) facial skin. Takes flight with a loud clatter of wings. Compare Squatter Pigeon, Flock Bronzewing (with black-and-white facial markings), and both Chestnut-quilled and White-quilled Rock-Pigeons (with pale wing panels).
Sunda Cuckooshrike
Coracina larvata
Chunky, dark gray bird with a dark face. Dark face patch is more extensive on males than females; males on Sumatra have entirely black heads. Inhabits moist foothill and montane forest. Moves through the upper levels of forest, often with other species in mixed flocks. Gives various high squeaky calls, including an inflected “weee-tee!”.
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