The grey-collared oriole, or Seram oriole, is a species of bird in the family Oriolidae. It is endemic to Seram.
Region
Maluku Islands
Typical Environment
This oriole is restricted to Seram, where it occupies primary evergreen forest, secondary woodland, and forest edge. It is most often encountered in the mid-story to canopy and occasionally in tall coastal or riverine trees. It can wander into lightly disturbed habitats, including plantations and village groves near forest. Its tolerance of edge habitats allows it to persist outside deep interior forest, though extensive deforestation could still impact local numbers.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
Also called the Seram oriole, this species is confined to Seram Island in Indonesia’s Maluku archipelago. It frequents forest canopies where its mellow, fluting whistles often reveal its presence before the bird is seen. The subtle gray collar across the breast helps distinguish it from other regional orioles. It adapts to secondary growth and forest edges, which helps buffer it from moderate habitat change.
Temperament
mostly shy and canopy-dwelling
Flight Pattern
strong direct flight with quick wingbeats between perches
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly or in pairs, occasionally in small family parties. It is territorial during the breeding season, advertising with rich whistles. The nest is a woven, suspended cup placed high in a fork, and both parents typically attend the young.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A series of mellow, fluting whistles and rolling phrases that carry well through forest canopies. Calls include sharper chacks and squeaky notes used in contact and alarm.
Plumage
Olive-green upperparts with yellow-olive underparts and a distinct ash-gray collar across the breast. Face slightly darker with dusky lores; wings dusky with yellowish edging and an olive tail with yellowish tips. Plumage appears smooth and even-toned, aiding camouflage in foliage.
Diet
Takes a mix of fruit and arthropods, including figs, berries, caterpillars, and beetles. It gleans insects from leaves and branches and probes into clusters of fruit. Occasionally sallies for flying insects and may visit flowering trees for nectar or small invertebrates attracted to blossoms.
Preferred Environment
Feeds mainly in the mid-story and canopy of forest, along edges, and in tall trees within plantations and village groves near forest. Often forages quietly among dense foliage, moving methodically between fruiting trees.
