Epaulet Oriole Icterus cayanensis Scientific name definitions

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The Epaulet Oriole is widespread in South America, although there is much geographic variation. In the north of the range the Epaulet Oriole has a bright yellow shoulder patch, while in the south of the distribution the shoulder patch is dark chestnut, and some populations are somewhat intermediate in look. Furthermore the northern birds are known to hybridize with the Moriche Oriole (Icterus chrysocephalus). Recent evidence suggests that the yellow-shouldered birds are more closely related, and perhaps even conspecific with the Moriche Oriole; yet the southern dark-shouldered birds are different in their song, behavior, and that they may even be potentially sympatric with yellow-winged birds in parts of Bolivia. It is quite likely that the Epaulet Oriole will be divided soon, with southern birds having the name “Variable Oriole.” The “Variable Oriole” is a slim, dark, and unornamented oriole; it is the southernmost of all orioles. They are found in pairs and family groups in open forest and forest edge, often riparian (gallery) forests. They give a varied assortment of harsh calls, and more melodious songs, but also have the unusual behavior of mimicking raptors and other large birds.

Epaulet Oriole (Epaulet)

c. 22 cm; male average 46 g, one female 42 g. Plumage is entirely black , except for yellow patch (epaulet) at bend of wing (lesser and median upperwing-coverts); some individuals (mostly in Peru) show some yellow in otherwise black thigh; iris deep red-brown; bill blackish; legs leaden grey to blackish. Sexes similar. Juvenile is like adult, including yellowish epaulet, but plumage tinged brown.

Epaulet Oriole (Moriche)

22 cm; male average 43·5 g, female average 42·1 g. Plumage is mostly black, with golden-yellow crown , nape, rump, lesser and median upperwing-coverts (epaulet) and thigh; underwing-coverts-lemon yellow, with inner webs of flight-feathers edged white; iris brown; bill blackish; legs leaden grey to blackish. Sexes similar. Juvenile resembles adult, but plumage blackish-brown, yellow areas duller yellow, greater upperwing-coverts narrowly tipped yellow (indistinct wingbar).

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Epaulet Oriole (Epaulet)

Epaulet Oriole (Moriche)

Epaulet Oriole (Epaulet)

S Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana, and N Brazil (Roraima E to Amapá and, S of R Amazon, Amazonas E to N Pará) S to E Peru (Loreto S to Madre de Dios) and N Bolivia (La Paz and Beni).

Epaulet Oriole (Moriche)

S & E Venezuela (S from E Apure, Sucre, Monagas and Delta Amacuro), Trinidad, Guyana, N & C Suriname and N French Guiana S in Amazonia to E Colombia, E Ecuador, N Peru (Loreto S to Huánuco) and NW Brazil (Roraima and Amazonas).

Epaulet Oriole (Epaulet)

Epaulet Oriole (Moriche)

Epaulet Oriole (Epaulet)

Epaulet Oriole (Moriche)

Epaulet Oriole (Epaulet)

Little detailed information. Feeds on insects, other arthropods, also fruits and nectar. Visits flowering Erythrina trees to obtain nectar. Usually forages in canopy, but in open areas may descend to low bushes and even to ground in search of insects. Generally singly and in pairs; often in mixed-species foraging flocks.

Epaulet Oriole (Moriche)

Insects, including beetles (Coleoptera), also other arthropods, mainly spiders (Araneae); also fruits and nectar. Nestling diet mostly insects. Forages in canopy and at edges of trees, often high up in forest. Gleans arthropods from palm fronds and other foliage. Often visits large forest flowers to obtain nectar. Usually singly or in pairs; sometimes joins mixed-species foraging flocks in canopy.

Epaulet Oriole (Epaulet)

Song not very musical, a varied series of ascending and descending notes, also mixing clicks and buzzes, with main frequency range 1·5–7·5 kHz. A common call is a short nasal note.

Epaulet Oriole (Moriche)

Song a slow series of ascending and descending notes, usually grouped in phrases of 2–3 notes. Call a mewing sound. Mimics calls of other birds, e.g. alarm call of Smooth-billed Ani (Crotophaga ani).

Epaulet Oriole (Epaulet)

Season Aug–Oct in French Guiana. Monogamous. Solitary breeder. Few nests found; nest built by both sexes, a hammock-like basket c. 40 cm long, roughly oblong in shape and with entrance at each end, made from tough, wire-like black fungal rhizomorphs of Marasmius and Marasmiellus, internal cavity 20–25 cm long, stitched at four points to underside of banana leaf c. 6 m above ground or to underside of leaf of coconut palm (Cocos nucifera); structure resembles most elaborate nests built by I. portoricensis. Clutch probably 2–3 eggs; one nest contained three feathered chicks; both parents feed nestlings and both defend nest. No other information.

Epaulet Oriole (Moriche)

Season Jul–Jan in Brazil (Amazonas) and Sept–Feb in Suriname; pair with fledgling in May in Guyana. Probably monogamous. Solitary breeder. Nest apparently built by both sexes, mostly in moriche palm, a shallow basket with external diameter 7–10 cm, external depth c. 9·5 cm, woven from plant fibres (mostly those of supporting palm) and often lined with fine fibres, in Brazil two nests stitched to underside of dead leaves of moriche palm, one c. 2·5 m above ground, and similar reports from Venezuela; in Guyana five successive basket-like nests built by a single pair under fronds of a royal palm (Roystonea), stitched to several supporting “leaflets”, entrance facing palm trunk, one oblong nest measured 12 cm in external length and 6·5 cm in external depth. Clutch 2 eggs, creamy or bluish-white, spotted and blotched in brown, mean dimensions 26 × 17·7 mm; chicks fed by both sexes. Reported as host of Molothrus bonariensis. No further information available.

Epaulet Oriole (Epaulet)

Epaulet Oriole (Moriche)