Black-headed oriole facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Black-headed oriole
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Genus:	Oriolus
Species:	larvatus

The black-headed oriole (Oriolus larvatus) is a beautiful bird found in Africa. It's easy to spot with its bright yellow body, a striking black head, and a beak that looks like flesh. This bird is part of the Oriolidae family, which includes many types of orioles.

Meet the Black-headed Oriole

Some people used to think that the mountain oriole was just a type of black-headed oriole. But now, scientists see them as different species. This bird also has other names, like the African black-headed oriole or the Eastern oriole.

Different Kinds of Black-headed Orioles

There are five main types, or subspecies, of the black-headed oriole. Each type lives in a slightly different area:

• O. l. rolleti – This type lives in places like southern Sudan, Ethiopia, and central Kenya.
• O. l. reichenowi – You can find this one from Somalia all the way to eastern Tanzania.
• Kenya black-headed oriole (O. l. angolensis) – This type is found from Angola and Namibia to western Tanzania and northern Mozambique.
• O. l. tibicen – This one lives along the coasts of southern Tanzania and southern Mozambique.
• O. l. larvatus – This type is found from southern Zimbabwe to inland southern Mozambique and eastern South Africa.

What Does the Black-headed Oriole Look Like?

The black-headed oriole has a very bright yellow body. Its head is a contrasting black, and its beak is a soft, flesh-coloured pink. When it sings, its voice sounds like a flowing, musical song. It also makes whistling sounds and can even imitate other birds.

Where Do Black-headed Orioles Live?

This bird breeds in many parts of Africa, south of the Sahara Desert. You can find it from South Sudan and Ethiopia in the north, all the way down to South Africa in the south.

It likes to live in dry tropical forests, especially those with acacia trees and other broad-leaved trees. It also enjoys dense areas with shrubs. Even though its feathers are very bright, it's often hard to see. You're more likely to hear its song than spot it in the trees!

How Do Black-headed Orioles Live?

The black-headed oriole looks for food high up in the treetops. It eats small fruits and also enjoys large insects. When it's feeding its young, the parent birds mostly give them caterpillars to eat.

Images for kids

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  A pair of orioles during their courtship ritual in central Waterberg, South Africa.

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  Tail-fanning is one way orioles show interest during courtship.

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  An example of a black-headed oriole in Kruger National Park, South Africa.