Altamira Oriole (Icterus gularis) lives in tropical forests across North and Central America. It feeds on insects and fruit. Its conservation status is Least Concern.
Fascinating facts about the Altamira Oriole
- Measuring 25 cm in length and weighing 56 g, the Altamira oriole is the biggest member of its genus. Its size places it well above other Icterus species, giving it a noticeable presence in the canopy. As a New World oriole, it shares the bright orange-yellow plumage typical of the group while standing out for its greater bulk. This combination of colour and size makes it easy to identify throughout its range.
- The Altamira oriole did not appear in southern Texas until 1939, marking the first confirmed presence of the species in the United States. Prior to that year the bird was absent from the state despite being common along the Mexican Gulf Coast and northern Central America. Its arrival reflects a recent northward expansion of its subtropical lowland range, a shift that has allowed it to colonise new habitats beyond its historic core.
- The nest of the Altamira oriole is a very long woven pouch that hangs from the tip of a horizontal branch or even from telephone wires, a design that keeps it suspended away from ground predators. Constructed from moss, grass, palm fibres, weeds and strips of bark, the pouch is lined with soft feathers for insulation.
- The Altamira oriole remains in its subtropical lowland range throughout the year, never undertaking the long migrations seen in many other orioles. Both sexes share the same striking orange-yellow underside and black facial mask, giving them identical elaborate colouration. This sexual monomorphism contrasts with the migratory orioles that breed in the United States, which show distinct male and female plumage.
- Altamira orioles nest alone, typically leaving about a quarter kilometre between each nest, which shows a clear solitary nesting habit. Their nests are long woven pouches built from moss, grass, palm fibres, weeds and bark strips, lined with soft feathers for insulation, and are often suspended from the tip of a horizontal branch or even telephone wires.
Sources
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At a glance
RangeNorth and Central America
HabitatTropical forests
DietInsects and fruit
About the Altamira Oriole
In the lush, vibrant canopies of Central America's tropical forests, the Altamira Oriole weaves its way through the dense foliage with effortless ease, its brilliant yellow plumage flashing like a ray of sunlight as it flits from branch to branch. With a fluid, undulating motion, it navigates the intricate network of twigs and leaves, its black back and wings a striking counterpoint to the radiant yellow of its breast and belly. As it moves, its melodious song echoes through the forest, a rich, whistled phrase that rings out with joyful abandon, a testament to the oriole's exuberant and carefree spirit.
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