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

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
361