Russet-backed Oropendola

Overview

The russet-backed oropendola (Psarocolius angustifrons) is a species of bird in the family Icteridae, found across parts of South America. It is described as a noisy and social bird that forages, nests, and roosts in groups.

Identification

• Males measure 44 to 48 cm in length and feature a nape crest, whereas females are smaller at 34 to 38 cm and lack the crest.
• The nominate subspecies has an olivaceous-brown head, a mostly brown body with a russet tinge, and paler russet-brown rump and uppertail coverts.
• Birds possess a blackish bill and blackish legs and feet, with a dark brown iris, though some subspecies exhibit blue irises or ivory, orange, and green bills.
• Males sing while displaying by tipping forward, raising their tail, and flapping their wings; the song generally starts with low-pitched notes and increases in pitch and volume to a final crescendo.

Habitat

The species has a disjunct distribution across Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela, inhabiting landscapes that range from várzea forest along whitewater rivers and oxbow lakes to humid montane forests and shade coffee plantations. Elevation varies significantly by subspecies, generally found below 2,500 m in most areas but reaching up to 2,500 m in the Andes.

Diet

Almost omnivorous, the russet-backed oropendola feeds on arthropods, small vertebrates such as frogs, wild and cultivated fruits, and nectar. It forages in flocks that may include other oropendolas, jays, and tanagers, often seeking prey in epiphytic bromeliads and clusters of leaves caught in trees.

Did you know?

Communal roosting can involve truly huge aggregations, particularly on certain river islands in the Amazon Basin.