Streak-backed Oriole illustration
Birdsong field guide

Streak-backed Oriole

Icterus pustulatus

A vibrant Neotropical songbird characterized by its brilliant orange plumage and prominent black lanceolate streaking across its mantle.

What it sounds like

A jerky, variable series of clear liquid whistles interspersed with harsh chattering and wheezing notes.

Reference call, compare with what you heard
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Rec. Étienne Leroy · MexicoCC BY-NC-SAXeno-canto

Field notes

  • Its specific epithet, pustulatus, is derived from Latin and refers to the 'blister-like' appearance of the spots on its back.
  • It constructs remarkably long, pendulous nests made of woven plant fibers that can hang over two feet from the tips of branches.
  • Unlike many oriole species, females are nearly as brightly colored as males, showing minimal sexual dichromatism.
  • The species is a frequent host to the Bronzed Cowbird, a brood parasite that often targets its hanging nests.
  • While primarily resident in Mexico and Central America, it is a rare but recurring vagrant to the southwestern United States, particularly Arizona.
Habitat
Tropical deciduous forests, arid scrublands, and open riparian woodlands.
Range
Pacific slope from northwestern Mexico (Sonora) south to northwestern Costa Rica.

Similar & commonly confused birds

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