Baudó oropendola facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Baudó oropendola |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Psarocolius
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| Species: |
cassini
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| Synonyms | |
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Gymnostinops cassini Richmond, 1898 |
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The Baudó oropendola (Psarocolius cassini) is a special type of bird found only in Colombia. It belongs to the Icteridae family, which includes orioles and blackbirds. This bird lives in warm, wet lowland forests. Sadly, its home is shrinking because of deforestation. Because there are so few of these birds left, experts consider it an "endangered" animal.
Contents
What Does the Baudó Oropendola Look Like?
Male Baudó oropendolas are about 46.5 centimeters (18 inches) long. Females are a bit smaller, around 40 centimeters (16 inches). This bird looks a lot like another bird called the black oropendola. Both are mostly black with brownish upper parts. However, the Baudó oropendola has pink skin patches on its cheeks. Its back and wings are more reddish-brown, and its sides are a deeper chestnut color.
Where Does the Baudó Oropendola Live?
This bird lives only in a small part of north-west Colombia. This area is near the Baudó mountains in the Chocó Department. It's a region of about 4,570 square kilometers (1,760 square miles). Scientists have mostly seen these birds in a few isolated spots. These spots are usually in river valleys next to humid rainforests. Recently, more birds were seen near the Rio Siviru and Rio Tipicay rivers. A new nesting site was also found on the coast. Here, sixty old nests hung from palm trees and other trees. These nests were in an area of new plant growth, between a banana farm and the main forest.
Why is the Baudó Oropendola Endangered?
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) says the Baudó oropendola is "endangered". This is because it lives in very few places. Also, its forest home is being destroyed. People are cutting down trees for wood and to make room for farms. They are also clearing land for oil palm plantations and new roads.
Experts believe there are only between 1,000 and 2,500 Baudó oropendolas left. This number is likely getting smaller. However, we don't know much about this bird. There might be other groups of these birds that haven't been found yet. If more groups are discovered, its status might change to "vulnerable". This means it would still need protection, but not as urgently as an endangered species.
See also
In Spanish: Oropéndola chocoana para niños
