Page 363 - Complete Birds of Britain and Europe (DK - RSPB)
P. 363

ORIOLES
       Order Passeriformes    Family Oriolidae       Species Oriolus oriolus
        Golden Oriole


                                            vivid yellow
               bold        quite pointed    and intense            bright
               yellow      wingtips         black plumage          pink-red
               rump                                                bill
                                     no black  long, slim
                           FEMALE    mask    body
                            greener plumage
                            than male’s

                 MALE
                   black
                   wings
                                        FEMALE
                               pale
                               yellow
           IN FLIGHT           rear flanks
                                                        MALE
        FLIGHT: thrush-like, direct, slightly undulating,
        swift from tree to tree.
           espite its bright colour and loud, unique song, the Golden Oriole
        Dmostly remains hidden in dense foliage. Occasional brief glimpses
        may be followed by a longer view as it flies to the next belt of
        woodland, looking like a large, fast-flying yellow thrush. Females look
        more like Green Woodpeckers in flight but lack the
        yellow rump; they look quite different when perched.
        Orioles prefer leafy belts of oak, chestnut, and
        especially poplars.
        VOICE Hoarse, strained, Jay-like or cat-like meeaik,
        fast gigigi; song far-carrying, loud, short phrase, very
        full-throated and fluty with yodelling quality, such
        as wee-dl-eyo, wee-weo-we-weedl, or weeeoo.
        NESTING Shallow nest of grass and strips of bark,
        slung beneath horizontal fork in branch, high in tree;
        3 or 4 eggs; 1 brood; May–June.
        FEEDING Takes caterpillars and other invertebrates  STUNNING COLOURS
        from foliage within dense tree canopy; also feeds on  One of Europe’s most striking birds, good views of an adult male reveal a
        berries in late summer and autumn.  bird of brilliant yellow and intense black.
                 SIMILAR SPECIES                          OCCURRENCE
                                                          Breeds in extreme E England, more
         MISTLE THRUSH  GREEN WOODPECKER 32               commonly in Europe north to
         similar in flight; flies high;   similar in flight but
         see p.309     more undulating;                   S Finland. From April to September,
                       see p.259                          in open or dense woodland,
                                                          poplar plantations, riverside forest,
                                                          wooded parks, and similar places
         longer           greener
         tail             back                            with airy, leafy trees.
                            spotted                        Seen in the UK
                            wings                          J  F  M  A  M  JJ A S O  N  D
       Length  22–25cm (9–10in)  Wingspan  35cm (14in)  Weight  55g (2oz)
       Social  Solitary       Lifespan  Up to 5 years  Status  Secure
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