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Green Oropendola | Psarocolius viridis
Groene oropendola | Oropéndola verde | Japu-verde
The Green Oropendola is a large, olive-green oropendola of the high canopy of Amazonian rainforest. More than its relatives it keeps to tall terra firme forest; colonies often hang in a tall, isolated tree at the edge of a clearing or river. Its pale bill with an orange-red tip and its pale blue eye distinguish it from the other green oropendolas of the guide area.
Voice
The male's display song is a loud, liquid gurgle ending in a gulping note, given with a bow and raised wings. The call is a harsh kak; in flight also a nasal wak.
Recording: JAYRSON ARAUJO DE OLIVEIRA — CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 · xeno-canto
Identification
37–47 cm; the male is much larger than the female. The head, neck, breast and upperparts are olive-green, the belly and flanks greyer olive, and the rump and undertail chestnut. The tail is yellow with greenish central feathers. The bill is pale green to ivory, with an orange-red tip. The eye is pale blue. The male has a few thin crest feathers. Juveniles are duller, with a darker eye.
Confusion species
Russet-backed Oropendola Psarocolius angustifrons is browner, with a dark eye and a bill without an orange tip. Olive Oropendola Psarocolius bifasciatus is larger, with a chestnut back and wings, a black bill with an orange tip and a bare pink cheek patch. Casqued Cacique Cacicus oseryi is smaller, chestnut with an olive-yellow head, and has a yellow bill with a conspicuously broad frontal shield. Crested Oropendola Psarocolius decumanus is black.
Habitat
Canopy and edges of tall terra firme rainforest in the lowlands, less in várzea and along rivers, mostly below 600 m, locally higher in the foothills. It eats fruit, nectar and large insects, often in small groups and in mixed flocks with caciques. It breeds in colonies of long, hanging woven nests in an isolated tree.
Where the bird is most at home, classified by the vegetation units of the Andes and the west coast.
Range and movements
In Colombia in the Amazonian lowlands in the east of the country. In Ecuador in the eastern lowlands. In Peru in the Amazonian lowlands, mainly in the north. In Bolivia locally in the north. Absent from the Galápagos. Outside the guide area in southern Venezuela, the Guianas and Brazilian Amazonia.
- Resident
- dark = core range, pale = thinly spread
How and when to look
From a canopy tower or from a river with a view over the forest you can see small groups flying along the treetops; the yellow sides of the tail stand out in flight.
Conservation status
Least Concern. The species depends on large, unbroken rainforest and declines where the forest is cleared.
Scientific name
Psarocolius viridis | (Müller, 1776)
Müller described the species in 1776 as Oriolus viridis; because it was later moved to another genus, the author and year stand in brackets. The genus Psarocolius was introduced in 1827 by Wagler. The genus name combines Greek psar, 'starling', with koloios, 'jackdaw'. The species name is Latin viridis, 'green'. The specimen the first description was based on came from Cayenne, French Guiana.