Olive-backed Oriole

Overview

The olive-backed oriole, also known as the white-bellied oriole, is a very common medium-sized passerine bird native to northern and eastern Australia and south-central New Guinea. It is the most wide-ranging of the Australasian orioles and is notably noisy and conspicuous in the field.

Identification

• Not bright in colour, featuring an olive back with small dark streaks.
• A light chest with black streaks.
• Females possess cinnamon-edged wings.
• Both sexes have reddish bills and eyes.

Habitat

The species prefers open woodland environments and tolerates drier climates, though it avoids desert areas. Its range extends from the very north of Western Australia across the east and south coasts to Victoria and the corner of South Australia.

Did you know?

While most individuals breed during the tropical wet season, some birds migrate south to breed in the southern summer.