The black-headed oriole (''Oriolus larvatus'') is a species of
bird in the family
Oriolidae. It is found in Africa and has a very striking appearance with a bright yellow body, contrasting black head and flesh-coloured beak.
Taxonomy and systematics
Some authorities have considered the
mountain oriole
The mountain oriole (''Oriolus percivali''), is a species of bird in the family Oriolidae. It is found in central and eastern Africa from eastern Democratic Republic of Congo to central Kenya and western Tanzania.
Its natural habitats are su ...
to be a subspecies of the black-headed oriole. Alternate names for the black-headed oriole include the African black-headed oriole, Eastern black-headed oriole and Eastern oriole.
Subspecies
Five
subspecies
In biological classification, subspecies is a rank below species, used for populations that live in different areas and vary in size, shape, or other physical characteristics (morphology), but that can successfully interbreed. Not all species ...
are recognized:
* ''O. l. rolleti'' -
Salvadori, 1864: Originally described as a separate species. Found from southern Sudan and southern Ethiopia to eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and central Kenya
* ''O. l. reichenowi'' -
Zedlitz
Zedlitz is a municipality in the district of Greiz, in Thuringia, Germany. The town has a municipal association with Münchenbernsdorf
Münchenbernsdorf is a town in the district of Greiz, in Thuringia, Germany. It is situated approximately ...
, 1916: Found from Somalia to eastern Tanzania
* Kenya black-headed oriole (''O. l. angolensis'') -
Neumann
Neumann is German language, German and Yiddish language, Yiddish for "new man", and one of the List of the most common surnames in Europe#Germany, 20 most common German surnames.
People
* Von Neumann family, a Jewish Hungarian noble family
A†...
, 1905: Found from Angola and Namibia to western Tanzania and northern Mozambique
* ''O. l. tibicen'' -
Lawson
Lawson may refer to:
Places Australia
* Lawson, Australian Capital Territory, a suburb of Canberra
* Lawson, New South Wales, a town in the Blue Mountains
Canada
* Lawson, Saskatchewan
* Lawson Island, Nunavut
United States
* Lawson, Arkansas
...
, 1962: Found from coastal southern Tanzania to coastal southern Mozambique
* ''O. l. larvatus'' -
Lichtenstein, MHK, 1823: Found from southern Zimbabwe to inland southern Mozambique and eastern South Africa
Description
The black-headed oriole has a bright yellow body, contrasting black head and flesh-coloured beak. The voice is a liquid-sounding warble, accompanied by imitations and whistles.
Distribution and habitat
It breeds in much of sub-Saharan Africa from South Sudan and Ethiopia in the north to South Africa in the south.
It inhabits dry tropical forests, especially
acacia
''Acacia'', commonly known as the wattles or acacias, is a large genus of shrubs and trees in the subfamily Mimosoideae of the pea family Fabaceae. Initially, it comprised a group of plant species native to Africa and Australasia. The genus na ...
and broad-leaved woodlands, and dense shrubland areas, where it is more often heard than seen despite the brightness of its plumage.
Behaviour and ecology
The black-headed oriole forages in the canopy, feeding on small fruit as well as large insects. The young are fed mostly with caterpillars.
Gallery
Image:Waterbergoriolesdownsized.jpg, A pair in courtship ritual, riparian zone of central Waterberg, South Africa
Image:Oriolus larvatus subsp larvatus, Lushof, Naboomspruit, b.jpg, Tail-fanning is one element of oriole courtship
References
External links
Black-headed oriole videos, photos and sounds- Internet Bird Collection
* Black-headed oriole
Species text in The Atlas of Southern African Birds
{{Taxonbar, from=Q1589193
black-headed oriole
The black-headed oriole (''Oriolus larvatus'') is a species of bird in the family Oriolidae. It is found in Africa and has a very striking appearance with a bright yellow body, contrasting black head and flesh-coloured beak.
Taxonomy and sys ...
black-headed oriole
The black-headed oriole (''Oriolus larvatus'') is a species of bird in the family Oriolidae. It is found in Africa and has a very striking appearance with a bright yellow body, contrasting black head and flesh-coloured beak.
Taxonomy and sys ...
Birds of Sub-Saharan Africa
black-headed oriole
The black-headed oriole (''Oriolus larvatus'') is a species of bird in the family Oriolidae. It is found in Africa and has a very striking appearance with a bright yellow body, contrasting black head and flesh-coloured beak.
Taxonomy and sys ...