Chestnut-headed Oropendola

The Chestnut-headed Oropendola is a New World tropical icterid bird. The scientific name of the species commemorates Johann Georg Wagler, who established Psarocolius, the oropendola genus.

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

The Chestnut-headed Oropendola (Psarocolius wagleri) is a New World tropical icterid bird. The scientific name of the species commemorates Johann Georg Wagler, who established Psarocolius, the oropendola genus. More

The Chestnut-headed Oropendola prefers the canopy and edges in humid, forested regions. Range This large bird lives between southern Mexico and northwestern Ecuador. In Costa Rica, it lives on the Caribbean slope in the lowlands, generally below 1,200 m, especially in the Coto Brus region; on the southern Pacific slope they are sometimes in the Golfo Dulce region and lower Valle del General. More

Chestnut-headed Oropendolas at their nestThe Chestnut-headed Oropendola (Psarocolius wagleri) is a New World (Americas) tropical icterid bird. The scientific name of the species commemorates Johann Georg Wagler, who established Psarocolius, the oropendola genus. Description The male is 35 cm long and weighs 225 g; the smaller female is 28 cm long and weighs 125 g. The wings are very long. More

Although the Chestnut-headed Oropendola shares much of this species's range, it is smaller, mainly black with a chestnut head (instead of mainly chestnut with a blackish head), and lacks coloured facial patches, so the two oropendolas are unlikely to be confused. Hanging nests in Costa Rica. More

The Chestnut-headed Oropendola Psarocolius wagleri is a New World tropical icterid bird. It is a resident breeder in the Caribbean coastal lowlands from southern Mexico to central Costa Rica, both slopes of southern Costa Rica and Panama, and the Pacific lowlands of Colombia and northeastern Ecuador. The Chestnut-headed Oropendola inhabits forest canopy, edges and old plantations. It is a colonial breeder which builds a hanging woven nest of fibres and vines, 60-100 cm long, high in a tree. More

Chestnut-headed Oropendola (Psarocolius wagleri) by Robin Carter. More

And what a bird is the Chestnut-headed Oropendola! Members of the icterid family, like blackbirds, orioles, grackles, and cowbirds, they are truly a magnificent species to see and it took quite some to get accustomed to seeing them in flight with their yellow tails trailing (to say nothing of how loud the wind in their wings is). More