New World oriole facts for kids
Quick facts for kids New World orioles |
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| Baltimore oriole, Icterus galbula | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Icteridae |
| Genus: | Icterus Brisson, 1760 |
| Species | |
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25-30 species |
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New World orioles are a group of colorful birds. They belong to the Icterus genus. These birds are part of the blackbird family. They are not related to the "Old World orioles" found in Europe or Asia. Even though they look very similar, they are from different bird families! This is a cool example of convergent evolution. It means different animals can evolve to look alike because they live in similar ways.
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About New World Orioles
New World orioles are often similar in size and what they eat. They also act in similar ways. Their feathers are very bright and stand out.
What They Look Like
Male orioles are usually black and bright yellow or orange. They often have white markings too. Female and young birds are usually duller in color. Orioles change their feathers once a year. They are generally slender birds with long tails. They also have a pointed beak.
What They Eat
New World orioles mainly eat insects. But they also enjoy sweet nectar from flowers. They like to eat fruit too.
Their Nests and Babies
The nest of a New World oriole is very special. It is a woven, long pouch that hangs from branches. It's like a little hanging basket!
Where They Live
Orioles that live where winters get cold will migrate. This means they fly to warmer places for the winter. But orioles that live in warm, tropical places usually stay put. They do not need to migrate.
Why They're Called Orioles
The name "oriole" was first used a long time ago, around the year 1250. It came from the Latin word oriolus. This word was made to sound like the song of the European golden oriole.
The name Icterus was used by old writers to describe a bird with yellow or green feathers. Today, we know they were talking about the golden oriole. Later, a scientist named Mathurin Jacques Brisson mistakenly used the name for the New World birds. He did this because they looked so much like the European orioles.
