Band-tailed Oropendola (Ocyalus latirostris)

Identification & Behavior: ~33 cm (13 in). The Band-tailed Oropendola looks black from a distance. At close range, it shows a dark chestnut hood that extends down to the sides of the neck and upper back. The iris is sky blue. The bill is pale yellowish. The tail is yellow with a dusky terminal band and dusky on the outer and central pair tail feathers. The yellow tail looks to be framed with dusky on the sides and bottom.  The Band-tailed Oropendola superficially resembles the Crested Oropendola but is distinguished by a much smaller size and slender body. Forages in the canopy in small flocks.

Status: The Band-tailed Oropendola is uncommon to rare in the Amazonian lowlands of Loreto and middle Ucayali. It also occurs in Co, Ec, and Br.

Name in Spanish: Oropéndola de Cola Bandeada.

Sub-species: Band-tailed Oropendola (Ocyalus latirostris).

Meaning of Name: Ocyalus: Gr. Ōkus= quick, Ōkualos= speeding, swift. latirostris: L. latus= broad and rostris, rostrum= billed, beak.

See more of the Family Icteridae