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Black-headed oriole

The black-headed oriole (Oriolus larvatus) is a species of bird in the family Oriolidae. It is found in Africa and has a very striking appearance with a bright yellow body, contrasting black head and flesh-coloured beak.

Taxonomy and systematics

Some authorities have considered the mountain oriole to be a subspecies of the black-headed oriole. Alternate names for the black-headed oriole include the African black-headed oriole, Eastern black-headed oriole and Eastern oriole.

Subspecies

Five subspecies are recognised:

  • O. l. rolleti – <small>Salvadori, 1864</small>: Originally described as a separate species. Found from southern Sudan and southern Ethiopia to eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and central Kenya
  • O. l. reichenowi – <small>Zedlitz, 1916</small>: Found from Somalia to eastern Tanzania
  • Kenya black-headed oriole or tropical blackhead oriole (O. l. angolensis) – <small>Neumann, 1905</small>: Found from Angola and Namibia to western Tanzania and northern Mozambique
  • O. l. tibicen – <small>Lawson, 1962</small>: Found from coastal southern Tanzania to coastal southern Mozambique
  • Southern black-headed oriole (O. l. larvatus) – <small>Lichtenstein, MHK, 1823</small>: Found from southern Zimbabwe to inland southern Mozambique and eastern South Africa
  • Eastern blackhead oriole (O. l. additus) – <small>Lawson, 1969</small>: Found in Eastern South African and southern Mozambique. Considered a synonym of O. l. tibicen and replacement name by the IOC.

Description

The black-headed oriole has a bright yellow body, contrasting black head and flesh-coloured beak. The voice is a liquid-sounding warble, accompanied by imitations and whistles.

Distribution and habitat

It breeds in much of sub-Saharan Africa from South Sudan and Ethiopia in the north to South Africa in the south.

It inhabits dry tropical forests, especially acacia and broad-leaved woodlands, and dense shrubland areas, where it is more often heard than seen despite the brightness of its plumage.

Behaviour and ecology

The black-headed oriole forages in the canopy, feeding on small fruit as well as large insects. The young are fed mostly with caterpillars.

Gallery

References

External links