Black-headed oriole

The male of the species has a black hood, mandible, and throat, as well as a black tail. Wings are black, but the remiges and retrices are fringed with white. The secondary coverts form yellow epaulets. The back and vent are yellow washed with olive, and the underside is almost uniformly yellow. Females of this species have a slightly more olive nape and back than the males. The adult female’s plumage is similar to the juvenile plumage; however, unlike adults, the wings are dull brown instead of black. In general, immature specimens have the hood; wingbars; remiges; and epaulets of adult specimens. The first-basic plumage retains the darker, greener coloration of the juvenile plumage, however. Molting generally occurs in early autumn, though some specimens have been noted to molt as early as June.

The Black-headed oriole is classified as Least Concern. Does not qualify for a more at risk category. Widespread and abundant taxa are included in this category.

The Black-headed Oriole (Oriolus larvatus) is an African passerine. It has a very striking appearance with a bright yellow body, contrasting black head and flesh-coloured beak. It breeds in much of sub-Saharan Africa from Sudan and Ethiopia in the north to South Africa in the south. It inhabits dry tropical forests, especially acacia and broad-leaved woodlands, and dense shrubland areas, where it is more often heard than seen despite the brightness of its plumage. More

English: Black-headed oriole, African black-headed oriole; French: Loriot à tête noire oriental; German: Maskenpirol; Spanish: Oropéndola de Cabeza Negra Africana. PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS 8–8.5 in (20–21.5 cm); 2.2–2.5 oz (60–70 gm). Sexes similar. A black-headed oriole with citrine back, golden ventrum, and gray-green wings and tail; only immatures duller and streaked ventrally. More

The black-headed oriole has a slightly swooping, fast-and-direct flight pattern, which takes it on forages for the fruit and insects that it feeds on. Its long, strong bill is good at devouring most insects, with caterpillars, locusts and beetles all being fair game. Diet - They will feed mainly on fruits, insects, berries and nectar and are said to have a very quick digestion period of around 5 minutes. More

The immature black-headed oriole shown above was seen in Tarangire NP in September 2008. Note the black eye and black bill. Three more immatures are included in the slideshow. More

The Black-headed Oriole has bright golden yellow breast and belly. The head is black, and the black extends down onto the upper breast. The upper back is bright golden yellow, fading to olive green on the wings. The flight feathers have some in them which shoes as whitish feather edges on the folded wing. The tail is olive green in the centre, with yellow outer tail feathers. More

The Black-headed Oriole is a Southern African bird that belongs to the Oriolidae bird family group which includes birds such as Old World Orioles. The description for the Black-headed Oriole (Latin name Oriolus larvatus) can be found in the 7th Edition of the Roberts Birds of Southern Africa. The Oriolus larvatus can be quickly identified by its unique Roberts identification number of 545 and the detailed description of this bird is on page 682. More

The Black-headed oriole is common and widespread, occuring throughout sub-Saharan Africa, from East Africa to southern Africa. It is quite adaptable, occupying a variety of habitats, including savanna woodland, parks, farmland and gardens. It eats a variety of invertebrates, fruit and seeds, often foraging in mixed species flocks in the tree canopy. The nest is deep cup of woven old-man's beard strands, moss and grass, place between stems of a fork in a slender tree branch. More

Black-Headed Oriole Printable version Antique MapsAntique World Maps U.S. More