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.
Plumage
Deep maroon body with a glossy black hood, face, and throat; wings and tail dark with maroon edging. Females are slightly duller and may show more diffuse scaling on the underparts.
Diet
Takes a variety of fruit and berries, especially figs, which can form a large portion of its diet. Also gleans insects such as caterpillars, beetles, and orthopterans from foliage and branches. Will occasionally take nectar and small animal prey when available. Foraging is deliberate and mainly within the mid- to upper canopy.
Preferred Environment
Feeds at fruiting trees along forest edges, clearings, and within mature hill forests. Often forages quietly high in the canopy, descending to mid-levels when following fruiting events.
