The yellow-backed oriole is a species of bird in the family Icteridae.
Region
Central America and northern South America
Typical Environment
Found from southern Mexico through Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama, extending into parts of Colombia and Venezuela. It favors forest edges, second growth, riparian woodland, and shaded plantations such as coffee and cacao. Birds often forage in the mid-story to canopy and readily use gardens with tall trees. It adapts well to semi-open mosaics but is less common in dense, unbroken primary forest.
Altitude Range
0–2200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The yellow-backed oriole is a striking Central American icterid, notable for its bold contrast of bright yellow body and black head and wings. It weaves deep, hanging nests from plant fibers, often suspended from the ends of palm fronds. Pairs are vocal and frequently visit flowering trees and fruiting shrubs, making them conspicuous in forest edges and gardens.
Temperament
active and wary
Flight Pattern
direct flight with short rapid wingbeats and slight undulation
Social Behavior
Typically seen in pairs or small family groups, sometimes joining mixed-species flocks while foraging. Monogamous pairs build long, pendulous nests using plant fibers, often placed high and near the end of thin branches or palm fronds to deter predators. Both sexes participate in nest building and territorial defense.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Song consists of rich, clear, fluty whistles interspersed with chatter and short trills. Calls include sharp scolds and metallic notes, delivered from conspicuous perches.
Plumage
Bright yellow back, rump, and underparts with a contrasting black hood and upper breast; wings and tail mostly black with clear white wing bars.
Diet
Consumes a mix of insects, spiders, and other small invertebrates along with fruit and nectar. It gleans caterpillars and beetles from foliage and probes blossoms for nectar, occasionally taking soft fruits like figs and bananas. It may visit feeders offering fruit or nectar in gardens.
Preferred Environment
Feeds from mid-levels to the canopy in forest edges, secondary growth, and plantations. Frequently forages in flowering and fruiting trees and along riparian corridors.
