Yellow-backed Oriole

Icterus chrysater

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

The Yellow-backed Oriole (Icterus chrysater) is a uncommon new world blackbirds, troupials, and alli found in 11 countries, weighing about 53 g. The yellow-backed oriole is a species of bird in the family Icteridae.

Least ConcernUncommonEats invertebrateswoodlandcup nest53 g

About the Yellow-backed Oriole

The yellow-backed oriole is a species of bird in the family Icteridae.

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

How to identify it

Yellow-backed orioles are a yellow-bodied, sexually monomorphic species. They average 21.5 cm (8.5 in) in length from beak to tail; making it a relatively medium-sized oriole species. Exposed skin and claws are bluish-black; in adults, the bill is black, with the base of the mandible becoming bluish-grey. Adult males display strongly contrasting yellow and black plumage. The wings, tail, shoulders, throat, and face are all black; by contrast, the back and underparts are an extremely bright yellow. Adult females closely resemble males, but yellow parts appear slightly greenish.

What the Yellow-backed Oriole sounds like

Recording: JUAN ANTONIO ALONSO DE JUAN · CC BY 4.0 · via xeno-canto
Recording: Hugo Oliveros-Salas · CC0 · via xeno-canto
Recording: radrat · CC0 · via xeno-canto

Where it lives

Recorded as a rare visitor in Costa Rica.

When to see it

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

Easily confused with

Quick questions

How do you identify a Yellow-backed Oriole?
Yellow-backed orioles are a yellow-bodied, sexually monomorphic species. Full identification notes are on this page.
How big is a Yellow-backed Oriole?
The Yellow-backed Oriole is a small sized bird weighing about 53 g.
Where can you see a Yellow-backed Oriole?
The Yellow-backed Oriole occurs in 11 countries, including Colombia, Panama, Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras.
What does a Yellow-backed Oriole sound like?
You can listen to 3 field recordings of the Yellow-backed Oriole on this page, contributed to xeno-canto under open licences.
What birds look similar to a Yellow-backed Oriole?
The Yellow-backed Oriole is most easily confused with the Scott's Oriole, the Streak-backed Oriole and the Epaulet Oriole.
Is the Yellow-backed Oriole endangered?
The Yellow-backed Oriole is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Learn the Yellow-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.

Play BeakBrain

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