Crested Oropendola

The Crested Oropendola is a large, striking icterid found across much of South America, glossy black overall with a contrasting chestnut patch on the lower back and rump and bright yellow outer tail feathers that flash conspicuously in flight. Pale, ice-blue eyes stand out against the dark plumage, and a thin, wispy black crest is often visible on the crown, though it can be difficult to see unless raised. The bill is long, pointed, and pale, tapering to a sharp point.

Highly social, the species nests colonially, with dozens of long, woven, sock-like nests hanging together from a single tree, and males perform an elaborate bowing display accompanied by a bubbling, gurgling song to attract mates, often tipping forward on the perch with wings spread as they call.

Key field marks

• Glossy black body with a chestnut patch on the lower back/rump
• Bright yellow outer tail feathers, conspicuous in flight
• Pale, ice-blue eyes
• Long, pointed, pale bill
• Thin wispy crest on the crown (often inconspicuous)
• Males much larger than females

Similar species

• Montezuma Oropendola is larger with a mostly chestnut body (not black), an orange-red bill tip, and bare blue-and-pink facial skin.
• Russet-backed Oropendola has a more uniformly olive-brown to russet body rather than glossy black with a defined chestnut rump patch.

Habitat

Inhabits forest edge, clearings, plantations, and gardens, generally avoiding deep unbroken forest interior.

Range

Widespread across South America east of the Andes, from Colombia and Venezuela south through the Amazon basin to Bolivia, Paraguay, and northern Argentina; also on Trinidad.

Migration

Mostly resident, though some populations may move locally in response to food availability.

Behavior

Highly colonial and social, nesting in groups of dozens of pairs in a single tree; males display with an exaggerated bowing motion, tipping forward with wings raised while singing to attract females.

Voice

A distinctive liquid, gurgling, bubbling song accompanying the male's bowing display, along with various harsh chattering calls.

Feeding

Feeds on fruit, large insects, and nectar, foraging both in the canopy and at forest edges.

Nesting

Builds long, woven, sock-like hanging nests, often over a meter long, suspended in clusters from the outer branches of a single tall tree; polygynous, with males mating with multiple females who nest together in a colony.