- Psarocolius wagleri
Identification
Length: 11-14" (28-36 cm)
Head, neck, rump, lower belly, chestnut; tail yellow with dark center feathers and outermost webs of outermost feathers; otherwise black. Ivory to yellowish bill, blue eye.
Similar species
Crested Oropendola is larger, head black as body, chestnut on underside limited to undertail coverts, and only shows dusky central tail feathers while the outer tail feathers are all yellow.
Distribution
Central and South America
Central America: South-eastern Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama
South America: Colombia and Ecuador.
Taxonomy
This species is sometimes placed as the only species in the genus Zarhynchus.
Subspecies
Two subspecies are recognized[1]:
- P. w. wagleri:
- P. w. ridgwayi:
Habitat
Lowland habitats from rainforests to roadside trees
Behaviour
Forages mostly high in canopy, hopping and running along branches with speed and agility.
Breeding
Nesting is colonially in isolated trees or groves.
References
- Clements, JF. 2009. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to December 2009. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019.
- Avibase
- Ridgely & Gwynne 1989. Birds of Panama. Princeton Paperbacks. ISBN 0691025126
- BF Member observations
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Chestnut-headed Oropendola. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 6 May 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Chestnut-headed_Oropendola
