The Cuban oriole (Icterus melanopsis ) is a species of songbird in the family Icteridae. It is endemic to Cuba.
Adults measure 20 cm (7.9 in) long with a 10 cm (3.9 in) wing length. They are black with yellow patches on the shoulders, underwings, rump and undertail. Sexes are alike. Juvenile birds are olive while immature birds are olive with a black face and throat.
The taxon was formerly lumped with Bahama orioles (Icterus northropi ), Hispaniolan orioles (Icterus dominicensis ), and Puerto Rican orioles (Icterus portoricensis ) into a single species known as the Greater Antillean oriole until all four birds were elevated to full species status in 2010.
Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests, subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, subtropical or tropical mangrove forests, and plantations.
Cuban orioles are endemic to the island of Cuba and the neighboring Isla de la Juventud.
The Cuban oriole is omnivorous and capable of eating insects, soft fruit, and nectar from sources such as banana trees, citrus trees, and coral trees. Though the majority of the Cuban oriole diet consists of insects, they can also act as nectar robbers. When eating nectar, the Cuban oriole will create an opening under the flower and consume nectar through this opening instead of through the flower itself. As a result, the Cuban oriole takes the plant's nectar without contributing to pollination.
Cuban orioles are nesting songbirds and, along with some other tropical orioles, may pair with one mate for the rest of their lives. From February to July Cuban orioles build hanging nests similar to baskets out of material from palm and banana tree leaves. Clutch sizes are typically three greenish-white eggs with grey or olive spots and scrawl. Similar to most tropical orioles, Cuban oriole pairs may maintain a year-round territory and will defend their nest from predators.
The Cuban oriole was given a status of "Least Concern" by the IUCN Red List in 2012. However, the Cuban oriole is a host for the brood parasite Shiny Cowbird, which leave their eggs in the nests of tropical orioles to be raised by the orioles.
