ICTERIDAE of South America
The Icterids are a group of small to medium-sized, often colorful birds, restricted to the New World. Most species have black as a predominant plumage color, often enlivened by yellow, orange or red. The majority of icterid species live in the tropics, although there are a number of temperate forms. They inhabit a range of habitats, including scrub, swamp, forest, and savannah. Temperate species are migratory. Icterids are variable in size, and often display considerable sexual dimorphism. Their size varies 15-52 cm. One unusual adaptation shared is they can open their bills strongly rather than passively, allowing them to force open gaps to obtain otherwise hidden food. Some use their gaping motion to open the skins of fruit to obtain the soft insides, and have long bills adapted to the process. Others such as cowbirds have shorter stubbier bills for crushing seeds. Orioles will drink nectar. The nesting habits of these birds are similarly variable. [abstracted from Wikipedia]
Orioles
Order Passeriformes Family Icteridae
New World orioles of family Icteridae, genus Icterus are not related to Old World orioles of family Oriolidae, but are strikingly similar in size; diet; behaviour and their strongly contrasting plumage, a good example of convergent evolution. The males are typically black and yellow or orange, with white markings; the plumage of females and immature birds is duller. They are generally slender with long tails and a pointed bill. They mainly eat insects, often also nectar and fruit. The nest is a woven, elongated pouch. Species nesting in areas with cold winters are migratory.
Genus Icterus
Oriole, Epaulet Icterus cayanensis Found: South America
Photographed by: 1, 2) Dario Sanches - Brazil
Oriole, White-edged Icterus graceannae Found: Ecuador and Peru
Photographed by:1, 2) Dick Daniels- BIrds of Eden in South Africa. Identified by Charlie Westerinen
Troupial also Turpial Icterus icterus Found: South America
Photographed by Dick Daniels - Puerto Rico
Genus Cacicus
Cacique, Golden-winged Cacicus chrysopterus Found: Sourth America
Photographed by: 1, 2, 3) Dario Sanches - Reserva Guainumbi, São Luíz do
1, 2) Male 3) Female
Cacique, Yellow-rumped Cacicus cela Found: South America
Photographed by: 1) Dick Daniels - the North Carolina Zoo 2, 3) Dick - the North Carolina Zoo
3) Sandy Cole - the North Carolina Zoo
Genus Dolichonyx - 1 species
Bobolink Dolichonyx oryzivorus Found: The Americas
Photographed by: 1) Alan D. Wilson near Diamond, Oregon 2) New Jersy Birds
1) Male 2) Female
Genus Psarocolius
Oropendola, Crested Psarocolius decumanus Found: South America
Photographed by: 1) Alastair Rae 2) Dominic Sherony 3) Sandy Cole - San Diego Zoo 4) Dick Daniels - Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo
Genus Pseudoleistes
Marshbird, Brown and yellow Pseudoleistes virescens Found: South America
Photographed by: 1) Dario Niz - Uruguay 2) dFaulder - the Ceibas area, Entre Rios, Argentina
Marshbird, Yellow-rumped Pseudoleistes guirahuro Found: South America
Photographed by: 1, 2, 3) Dario Sanches in Brazil
All photos on this site are available for general use. Please credit the photographer. Some images have additional constraints such as no commercial use or no modifications. Click the photo credit link for details. Dick Daniels, webmaster.