About the Altamira Oriole
The Altamira oriole is a New World oriole. The bird is widespread in subtropical lowlands of the Mexican Gulf Coast and northern Central America, the Pacific coast and inland. They have since spread to southern Texas, but this was not until 1939.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
Both males and females have a black mandible and throat, as well as a black back and long black tail. Wings are black, but the remiges and rectrices (flight feathers) are fringed with white. These form a single white wing bar and white wing spots when folded. The secondary coverts form orange epaulets. The underside is almost uniformly orange or yellowish-orange. In general, immature specimens have an olive back, and a dull yellow on its head and its body. The first-year bird is similar to the adult, but it has an olive, not black, back, and yellow-olive tail. Voice: The song of the Altamira oriole is a series of clear, slow musical whistles. In contrast, the Altamira's calls are harsh whistles, rasping chatter, and nasal "ike"s.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where it lives
When to see it
Peak activity in January · a variable species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Streak-backed OrioleIcterus pustulatusThe streak-backed oriole is 19 to 21 cm (7.5 to 8.3 in) long.
Yellow-backed OrioleIcterus chrysaterYellow-backed orioles are a yellow-bodied, sexually monomorphic species.
Scott's OrioleIcterus parisorumScott's oriole is about 23 cm (9.1 in) long with a wingspan of 32 cm (13 in); it weighs 32 to 41 g (1.1 to 1.4 oz).
Side by side: Altamira Oriole vs Baltimore Oriole · Altamira Oriole vs Orchard Oriole · Altamira Oriole vs Streak-backed Oriole · Altamira Oriole vs Yellow-backed Oriole · Altamira Oriole vs Scott's Oriole
Learn the Altamira Oriole for real
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