Crested Oropendola
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Scientific name:
Psarcolius
decumanaus
Family: Icteridae
Order: Passeriformes
Class: Aves
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:
The Crested Oropendola is a medium sized blackbird that has a citron yellow beak and electric yellow tail feathers. It ranges in length from thirteen to seventeen inches long. The males are clearly larger than the females.
| Churchill's mating call: |
DISTRIBUTION and HABITAT:
Crested Oropendolas can be found in South America. Specifically, in the Amazon River Basin region or other tropical areas. They occur in temperate forests, jungles, grasslands, savannas, and marshes.
BEHAVIOR:
Crested Oropendolas are gregarious birds that flock together in the winter and roost communally in enormous numbers. In the breeding season, they nest in colonies to protect themselves from predators. It is common to see both sexes of the Crested Oropendola sing or call, to attract members of the opposite sex for breeding.
DIET:
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Crested Oropendolas feed on insects, seeds, grain, fruits, and nectar. The Crested Oropendola's breeding season is during the months of November through April. They breed in large colonies of 100 or more to scare off predators. Males show off the color of their feathers and sing to attract as many females as they can.
NEST:
Female Oropendolas weave spherical nests out of grass and palm fibers. These nests measure from three to six feet in length. The nests can be found in the branches of high isolated trees. Male Oropendolas help to protect these nests during the growth of their offspring.
Crested Oropendolas are not endangered. However, they do not have an enormous population because their tropical habitat is being reduced every year by human development.
Suggested Reading:
Howard and Moore. A Complete Checklist of the Birds of the World
Schauensee, Guide to the Birds of South America.
http://www.tem.nhl.nl/~ribot/english/psde_ng.htm
http://www.spindrift.com/Trinidad/imglist.htm
(Mahalo to Leeward Community College's Zoology 101 Class for their contribution)
