Crested Oropendola

Adults have mostly glossy black plumage with a rich chestnut-brown lower back, rump, and flanks. The tail is bright yellow with central black feathers. It features a pale bluish-white or yellowish bill with an orange-red tip and striking blue eyes. Females are similar in plumage but noticeably smaller than males.

Large size, glossy black head and breast, chestnut back and belly, bright yellow tail with black central feathers, and pale bill with an orange tip.

Length: 40 to 48 cm (males are larger); Weight: Males around 350-550 g, females significantly lighter.

A rich variety of bubbly, gurgling, and liquid notes mixed with metallic clicks and whistles, often delivered while bowing during display.

Omnivorous, feeding heavily on large insects, spiders, small vertebrates, nectar, and various fruits.

Humid lowland forests, forest edges, clearings with tall trees, and secondary growth up to moderate elevations.

Resident, though local nomadic movements occur in response to food availability.

Colonial nesters building long, sock-like woven hanging nests out of plant fibers, suspended high up from branches of isolated tall trees.

Other oropendola species such as the Green Oropendola or Chestnut-headed Oropendola, but distinguished by the combination of chestnut body, black head, bright yellow outer tail feathers, and unique bill coloration.

Acts as an important seed disperser and pollinator. Their large hanging nests are often used by other bird species for roosting or breeding after the oropendolas abandon them.

Least Concern, with a stable population trend.

Look and listen for their noisy colonies in tall forest trees or at the forest edge. Because they are active and social, scanning the canopy near fruiting trees usually reveals them.

During displays, males dramatically bow forward until they are nearly upside down on their perch while delivering their gurgling song.