The maroon oriole is a species of bird in the family Oriolidae. It is found in Southeast Asia.
Region
Himalayas and Southeast Asia
Typical Environment
Occurs from the Himalayan foothills of northern India and Nepal east through Bhutan and northeastern India into Myanmar, southern China, and Indochina (Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia). It inhabits mature evergreen and mixed broadleaf forests, forest edges, and well-wooded hills. Birds often follow fruiting trees, especially figs, and may use secondary growth if large trees are present. It is most frequently encountered in the mid- to upper canopy, where it forages and sings.
Altitude Range
200–2600 m
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
The maroon oriole is a striking forest oriole with a deep maroon body and a contrasting black hood. It spends most of its time in the mid- to upper canopy, where its rich, fluty whistles carry through hill forests. Pairs weave a neat, hanging cup nest slung in a fork of slender branches. Its bright red bill and crimson eye are standout field marks.
Maroon oriole
Temperament
shy and canopy-dwelling
Flight Pattern
strong flier with direct, purposeful flight
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly, in pairs, or small family groups; rarely joins mixed-species flocks. Monogamous pairs build a neat, cup-shaped nest suspended from a forked twig high in the canopy. Both parents participate in raising the young. Territorial during the breeding season.
Migratory Pattern
Partial migrant
Song Description
Song consists of rich, fluty, whistled phrases that carry far through hill forests. Calls include mellow, descending whistles and sharper chack notes as contact calls.
