Montezuma Oropendola

The Montezuma Oropendola is one of the most spectacular and unmistakable birds of Central America's Caribbean lowlands, a large icterid with a rich chestnut body, a contrasting black head and neck, and a striking bill that is pale yellow-orange at the tip against a black base. Bare patches of blue and pink skin adorn the sides of the face, adding further to its exotic appearance, while bright yellow outer tail feathers flash in flight.

Like other oropendolas, it is intensely social, nesting in large colonies where dozens of long, pendulous woven nests hang together from a single emergent tree, often positioned near wasp nests, which are thought to help deter predators and parasitic botflies. Males are considerably larger than females and perform a dramatic bowing display with a liquid, gurgling call to attract mates.

Key field marks

• Rich chestnut body contrasting with a black head and neck
• Bill pale yellow-orange at the tip, black at the base
• Bare blue-and-pink skin patches on the face
• Bright yellow outer tail feathers
• Males much larger than females

Similar species

• Crested Oropendola is smaller, mostly glossy black rather than chestnut-bodied, and has pale blue eyes and an all-pale bill.
• Chestnut-headed Oropendola is smaller with a mostly black body and chestnut confined to the head, the reverse pattern of the Montezuma Oropendola.

Habitat

Inhabits forest edge, clearings, plantations, and lowland forest, particularly on the Caribbean slope.

Range

Found from eastern Mexico south through Central America to central Panama.

Migration

Mostly resident, with some local movement possible in search of fruiting trees.

Behavior

Highly colonial, nesting in groups of a dozen to over a hundred pairs in a single tree; males perform a dramatic bowing display, tipping forward with wings spread while giving a loud, liquid gurgling call.

Voice

A distinctive, gurgling, liquid song that builds and cascades during the male's display, along with sharp chattering calls.

Feeding

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

Nesting

Builds long, woven, pendulous nests up to nearly 2 m long, hanging in clusters from a single emergent tree, often near active wasp nests; polygynous mating system with dominant males mating with multiple females.