Oropendola

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iOropendola

Scientific classification

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Passeriformes
Family:	Icteridae

Genera

Psarocolius
Wagler, 1827
Gymnostinops
Sclater, 1886
Ocyalus
Waterhouse, 1827

The oropendolas comprise two or three genera of South and Central American passerine birds in the New World blackbird family.

There are at least nine species in the genus Psarocolius:

The three species in the genus Gymnostinops are now more often considered as members of Psarocolius. They are:

Montezuma Oropendola, Psarocolius montezuma or Gymnostinops montezuma
Baudo Oropendola, Psarocolius cassini or Gymnostinops cassini
Pará Oropendola, Psarocolius bifasciatus or Gymnostinops bifasciatus
Olive Oropendola, Psarocolius yuracares or Gymnostinops yuracares

The final species is:

Band-tailed Oropendola, Ocyalus latirostris

All the oropendolas are large birds with pointed bills, and long tails which are always at least partially bright yellow. Males are usually larger than females.

The plumage is typically chestnut or dark brown, although the Green and Olive Oropendolas have, as their names imply, an olive coloration to the head, breast and upper back. The legs are dark, but the bill is usually a strikingly contrasting feature, either pale yellow, or red-tipped with a green or black base. In several species there is also a blue or pink bare cheek patch.

Oropendolas are birds associated with forests or, for a few species, more open woodland. They are colonial breeders, with several long woven basket nests in a tree, each hanging from the end of a branch.

These gregarious birds eat large insects and fruit. They are very vocal, producing a wide range of songs, sometimes including mimicry.