Green oropendola
Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Family
Genus
SPECIES
Psarocolius viridis

The green oropendola (Psarocolius viridis ) is a species of bird in the family Icteridae. It is found in wooded habitats in the Amazon basin and Guianas of South America, and is generally common. Uniquely among the oropendolas, the green oropendola has a pale bill with an orange tip. Male oropendola weigh around 400 grams, while females are in the 200 gram range. This is a common species and the International Union for Conservation of Nature has rated its status as being of "least concern".

Appearance

The male green oropendola grows to a length of about 43 cm (17 in) and the female about 37 cm (14.6 in). The head, breast and back are pale olive green, the wings are greyish-green, and the rump and underparts are chestnut. The central feathers of the tail are black and the outer ones yellow. The beak has an orange tip, and its base and the adjoining areas of skin are yellowish. The irises are pale blue and there is an inconspicuous crest on the back of the head.

Distribution

Geography

P. viridis has a very wide distribution in the tropical rainforests of South America. Its range includes Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Surinam, French Guiana, Brazil, Ecuador, Bolivia and Peru.

Green oropendola habitat map

Biome

Green oropendola habitat map
Green oropendola
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Habits and Lifestyle

This bird usually moves through the forest canopy in mixed species flocks. It is an omnivore, foraging for fruits and insects among the leaves and branches. By consuming whole fruits, it acts as a seed disperser. It is one of several birds that follow small groups of red-throated caracara (Ibycter americanus ) through the canopy. The caracaras are specialist predators of wasp nests, and the oropendolas have been observed following the group for several hours, feeding independently and not necessarily at the same level in the canopy nor on the same items of diet.

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Green oropendolas are gregarious, colonial birds and build long, bag-shaped nests that dangle from the branches of a tree. The birds are polygamous. The nests of green oropendolas are sometimes parasitised by the giant cowbird (Molothrus oryzivorus ) which lays its eggs in their nests.

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Lifestyle
Seasonal behavior
Bird's call

Diet and Nutrition

Mating Habits

References

1. Green oropendola Wikipedia article - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_oropendola
2. Green oropendola on The IUCN Red List site - https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22723985/132172341
3. Xeno-canto bird call - https://xeno-canto.org/706560

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