Bird Guide

Epaulet Oriole

Icterus cayanensis

Not EvaluatedInvertebratesForestCup nestSmall · 35 g

About the Epaulet Oriole

The epaulet oriole is a species of bird in the family Icteridae, the oropendolas, New World orioles, and New World blackbirds. It is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, Trinidad, and Venezuela.

Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

ID tip

The epaulet oriole is about 22 cm (8.7 in) long. Males weigh an average of about 45 g (1.6 oz) and females an average of about 42 g (1.5 oz). The sexes have the same plumage. Adults of the nominate subspecies are almost entirely black. They have yellow lesser and median wing coverts that show as the eponymous epaulet on the closed wing. Subspecies I. c. chrysocephalus is also mostly black but has a golden-yellow crown, nape, rump, epaulets, and thighs. Juveniles of both subspecies are blackish brown rather than pure black and their yellow parts are duller than adults'. Voice: The two subspecies of the epaulet oriole have different but similar songs. That of the nominate is "not very musical and has been described as a varied series of ascending and descending notes, also mixing clicks and buzzes". That of I. c. chrysocephalus is "a slow series of ascending and descending notes, usually grouped in phrases of two to three notes".

Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

What the Epaulet Oriole sounds like

Recording: Niels Krabbe · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via xeno-canto

Where the Epaulet Oriole lives

Regular range

When to see the Epaulet Oriole

Peak activity in October · a resident species across most of its range

Easily confused with

Side by side: Epaulet Oriole vs Streak-backed Oriole · Epaulet Oriole vs Yellow-backed Oriole · Epaulet Oriole vs Scott's Oriole · Epaulet Oriole vs Yellow Oriole · Epaulet Oriole vs Venezuelan Troupial

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