Black-cowled Oriole

Identificazione

The black-cowled oriole is a medium-sized passerine, ranging in length from 18.5 to 21 cm (7.3 to 8.3 in). Males are larger and heavier than females, averaging 32.5 g (1.15 oz) while females average only 27.5 g (0.97 oz). In the north of the range, males and females are sexually dimorphic, while in the south, their plumages are similar. In both sexes, the bill is slender, slightly decurved, and black, with a silvery base to the lower mandible. The adult male's plumage is mostly black, with bright yellow patches on the shoulder, rump, and uppertail coverts. The wing lining, lower breast, thighs, and crissum are completely yellow, with a narrow wash of chestnut between the black and yellow on the breast. Where the female's plumage differs, she has a black face, throat and upper breast, with an olive-yellow crown and upperparts. Some females, particularly further south in the range, show a mix of black and yellow feathers on the head and back, while others have entirely black heads, and still others fully resemble males. Both sexes have blue-gray legs and feet, and brown eyes.<p>The immature of I. p. praecox is dull yellow-olive above and dull yellow below; the feathers on its back have black bases, which sometimes show through. Its face, forehead and throat are matte black, as are its wings and tail. This plumage is retained for a year, though individual, heavily worn, feathers may be replaced.<p>The bird's song is a fairly quiet, complicated series of soft, whistled notes and harsher chattering. These are described as being variously clear, metallic, slurred and mellow, and are delivered in an apparently random order. Its calls include a scratchy, rising weet, a nasal deep, a nasal eeaahnk, a quiet tee-u, and a sharper beehk or bihk. When alarmed, it gives a scolding series of sharp cherp and chep notes, variously transcribed as cheh-cheh-cheh-chek and churr'churr'churr, sometimes interspersed with snatches of song.<p>The juvenile black-cowled oriole resembles both the yellow-tailed oriole and the juvenile orchard oriole, but can be distinguished by its completely black tail and its lack of wing bars. It is larger than an orchard oriole and much smaller than a yellow-tailed oriole. Though the black-cowled oriole looks similar to the black-vented oriole, the two species are allopatric and live in different habitats; the black-vented oriole is found in dry highlands. The black-vented oriole is larger, bulkier, and longer-tailed, with a black crissum, an orangey-yellow belly, and a longer, straighter beak. Immature birds show less black on the face than do immature black-cowled orioles. Female and immature black-cowled orioles can be confused with the yellow-backed oriole, but that species is brighter yellow on the head and back, with less black on the face, and a stouter, straighter bill. Females and immatures also resemble the female bar-winged oriole, but that species is probably allopatric (found only on the Pacific slope), and typically has less dark wings and tail, and a pale wing bar. Audubon's oriole, which is seldom found in the same habitat or range, is larger, with a heavier, straight beak and tertials which are edged in white in fresh plumage.

Tassonomia

English ornithologist Hugh Strickland first described the black-cowled oriole in 1850, using a specimen collected in Guatemala. That type specimen resides at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Strickland named it Xanthornus prosthemelas. Philip Sclater moved it to the genus Icterus in 1856, and most taxonomists followed suit, though a few put it in the now-defunct genus Pendulinus instead. It was considered a distinct species until 1947, when ornithologist James Bond lumped it with oriole species found on various islands in the Greater Antilles. He named them all Icterus dominicensis. However, molecular studies done since have shown that its genetics vary significantly from those of the Antillean species, and taxonomists elevated it to full species status again in 2000. Those same studies showed that its closest relative is the orchard oriole.<p>Taxonomists recognize two subspecies, which differ in juvenile plumage:<p>The genus name Icterus comes from the Ancient Greek ikteros, meaning "yellow bird". The Greek word may originally have referred to the European golden oriole. The specific epithet prosthemelas is a combination of the Greek words prosthen, meaning "front" and melas, meaning "black". In the past, it was also known as Lesson's oriole.

Nome scientifico

Icterus prosthemelas

Autorità

(Strickland, 1850)

Ordine

Passeriformi

Famiglia

Icteridae

Genere

Icterus

Areale e habitat

The black-cowled oriole occurs throughout much of eastern Central America, from southern Mexico through western Panama. It lives in the Caribbean lowlands and foothills at elevations from sea level to 1,300 m (4,300 ft), though primarily below 500 m (1,600 ft). It is fairly common across its range. In the early 21st century, it expanded its range to the Pacific slope of Costa Rica, with scattered reports of sightings in the central and southern lowlands. It is found in humid and semihumid forest, including in clearings and along edges, as well as in more open areas with scattered bushes and trees. In forested areas, it is generally located along waterways. It favors open woodland and plantations, especially banana plantations, and is regularly associated with palms. In the southern part of its range, it prefers more open habitats, including gardens, forest edges, and second growth.

Migrazione

Specie stanziale

Comportamento

Comportamento migratorio: Specie stanziale.

Conservazione

Tendenza della popolazione: in diminuzione.

Tendenza della popolazione

in diminuzione