Isabela oriole facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Isabela oriole |
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| Conservation status | |
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| Genus: |
Oriolus
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| Species: |
isabellae
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| Known locations of sightings or collections | |
The Isabela oriole (Oriolus isabellae) is a special bird from the oriole family. It lives only on the island of Luzon in the Philippines. For many years, people thought this bird was gone forever, but it was found again in 1993 and 1994!
It was first seen again near Diffun, Quirino, and later in Mansarong. More sightings happened in San Mariano, Isabela, and Baggao, Cagayan Valley. This oriole lives in wet lowland forests, usually below 440 meters (about 1,440 feet) above sea level. Sadly, its home is shrinking, and it's also hunted, which puts it in danger.
What Makes the Isabela Oriole Special?
The Isabela oriole can sometimes be confused with other orioles, like the white-lored oriole or the black-naped oriole. But you can tell it apart by a few key features.
This bird has a very large, grey beak. Its feathers are a uniform olive-yellow color all over its body. Unlike some other orioles, it doesn't have any white feathers near its eyes. These unique features help scientists and birdwatchers identify it correctly.
Where Does the Isabela Oriole Live?
Today, the Isabela oriole is only found in the lowland forests of the Northern Sierra Madre mountain range on Luzon island. It likes to stay high up in the trees, in the canopy and middle parts of the forest. You might also spot it at the edges of forests or in small patches of trees.
It often hangs out with other birds in mixed groups. These groups can include bar-bellied cuckooshrikes, black-and-white trillers, and blackish cuckooshrikes. Even after a lot of searching in 2014, the bird has not been seen in Bataan province since 1947. This shows how rare and specific its current home is.
Protecting the Isabela Oriole
The Isabela oriole is in a lot of trouble. There are only about 50 to 250 adult birds left in the wild. Because its population is so small and spread out, it is listed as Critically Endangered. This means it's at a very high risk of becoming extinct.
Many groups are working hard to save this special bird. Organizations like Buhay-Ilang and the Mabuwaya Foundation are helping. They create educational programs and even hold festivals to celebrate the Isabela oriole. This helps people learn about the bird and why it's important to protect it.
The Isabela oriole is now a very important symbol, or flagship species, for the North Sierra Madre National Park. This means protecting the oriole helps protect the entire park and all the other animals and plants that live there.
Since 2015, the Mabuwaya Foundation has been running a special project in Baggao to study and protect the oriole. They talk with local governments, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and people living in the area. They share information and listen to ideas from the community. There are also plans to make the oriole's home in Baggao a "Critical Habitat." This would give the area special protection. They also hope to encourage ecotourism, where people can visit responsibly and help support conservation efforts.
