Streak-backed Oriole

Icterus pustulatus

New World Blackbirds, Troupials, and Allies · Passeriformes · Uncommon

The Streak-backed Oriole (Icterus pustulatus) is a uncommon new world blackbirds, troupials, and alli found in 7 countries, weighing about 37 g. The streak-backed oriole is a medium-sized species of passerine bird in the family Icteridae, the oropendolas, New World orioles, and New World blackbirds.

Least ConcernUncommonEats invertebrateswoodlanddome nest37 g

About the Streak-backed Oriole

The streak-backed oriole is a medium-sized species of passerine bird in the family Icteridae, the oropendolas, New World orioles, and New World blackbirds. It is found in Mexico, in Central America from Guatemala to Costa Rica, and occasionally in the United States.

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

How to identify it

The streak-backed oriole is 19 to 21 cm (7.5 to 8.3 in) long. Males weigh an average of about 43 g (1.5 oz) and females about 35 g (1.2 oz). Adult males of the nominate subspecies I. p. pustulatus have a deep orange head and breast with black lores, chin, and upper breast. Their upperparts are orange with heavy black streaks on the mantle and back. Their tail is mostly black with white tips on all the feathers and white outer edges on the outermost pair. Their lesser upperwing coverts are orange and the rest of their upperwing is mostly black. Voice: The streak-backed oriole's song is a "pleasant series of sweet, clear whistles (some elements repeated)" and its calls include " a saweet!-taweee!-tawee-tawee, a soft churr'teee, and harsh chatters".

What the Streak-backed Oriole sounds like

Recording: Ana Rebeca Martinez Martinez · CC0 · via xeno-canto

Where it lives

When to see it

The Streak-backed Oriole can be seen all year round, with peak activity in January. It is a resident species across most of its range.

Easily confused with

Quick questions

How do you identify a Streak-backed Oriole?
The streak-backed oriole is 19 to 21 cm (7.5 to 8.3 in) long. Full identification notes are on this page.
How big is a Streak-backed Oriole?
The Streak-backed Oriole is a small sized bird weighing about 37 g.
Where can you see a Streak-backed Oriole?
The Streak-backed Oriole occurs in 7 countries, including Mexico, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua.
What does a Streak-backed Oriole sound like?
You can listen to a field recording of the Streak-backed Oriole on this page, contributed to xeno-canto under open licences.
What birds look similar to a Streak-backed Oriole?
The Streak-backed Oriole is most easily confused with the Yellow-backed Oriole, the Scott's Oriole and the Epaulet Oriole.
Is the Streak-backed Oriole endangered?
The Streak-backed Oriole is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Learn the Streak-backed Oriole for real

BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.

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