Black-headed oriole facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Black-headed oriole |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Oriolus
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| Species: |
larvatus
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The black-headed oriole (Oriolus larvatus) is a species of bird in the family Oriolidae. It is found in Africa and has a very striking appearance with a bright yellow body, contrasting black head and flesh-coloured beak.
Contents
Taxonomy and systematics
Some authorities have considered the mountain oriole to be a subspecies of the black-headed oriole. Alternate names for the black-headed oriole include the African black-headed oriole, Eastern black-headed oriole and Eastern oriole.
Subspecies
Five subspecies are recognized:
- O. l. rolleti – Salvadori, 1864: Originally described as a separate species. Found from southern Sudan and southern Ethiopia to eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and central Kenya
- O. l. reichenowi – Zedlitz, 1916: Found from Somalia to eastern Tanzania
- Kenya black-headed oriole (O. l. angolensis) – Neumann, 1905: Found from Angola and Namibia to western Tanzania and northern Mozambique
- O. l. tibicen – Lawson, 1962: Found from coastal southern Tanzania to coastal southern Mozambique
- O. l. larvatus – Lichtenstein, MHK, 1823: Found from southern Zimbabwe to inland southern Mozambique and eastern South Africa
Description
The black-headed oriole has a bright yellow body, contrasting black head and flesh-coloured beak. The voice is a liquid-sounding warble, accompanied by imitations and whistles.
Distribution and habitat
It breeds in much of sub-Saharan Africa from South Sudan and Ethiopia in the north to South Africa in the south.
It inhabits dry tropical forests, especially acacia and broad-leaved woodlands, and dense shrubland areas, where it is more often heard than seen despite the brightness of its plumage.
Behaviour and ecology
The black-headed oriole forages in the canopy, feeding on small fruit as well as large insects. The young are fed mostly with caterpillars.
Gallery
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A pair in courtship ritual, riparian zone of central Waterberg, South Africa
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Tail-fanning is one element of oriole courtship
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Exemplar in Kruger National Park, South Africa.
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