Phylogenetic analysis based on mitochondrial DNA sequences suggested that the Icterus dominicensis group was in fact polyphyletic. The subspecies I. d. prosthemelas is most closely related to the orchard oriole group (Icterus spurius). The conservation of the general plumage patterning indicates that the pattern seen in Icterus prosthemelas from the Caribbean Islands— black upperparts, wings, and tail with bright underparts and a bright epaulet—is most likely the ancestral state for the clade containing Icterus prosthemelas, Icterus dominicensis, Icterus oberi, and Icterus cayanensis (Omland et al. 2000) In addition to sharing most recent common ancestors, the geographic ranges of Icterus prosthemelas and Icterus fuertesi are adjacent to one another (though the two species are allopatric).
Black-cowled orioles are a relatively quiet species and have been described as being difficult to hear in the field. Their song is described by Jaramillo and Burke (1999) as a “sweet, soft warble”. The primary call has been described by Howell and Webb (1995) as being a harsh cheh-cheh-cheh-chek. A single note from the previously described phrase is occasionally heard.
Communication Channels: acoustic
Perception Channels: visual ; tactile ; acoustic ; chemical
Black-cowled orioles are listed as “Least Concern” by the IUCN. Population size is estimated as greater than 50,000 worldwide and does not appear to have greatly declined in numbers (Butchart, Ekstrom, and Bird 2009). Population density for this species is greatest in Nicaragua, Panama, and southwest Yucatan. This species is protected by the US Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
US Migratory Bird Act: protected
US Federal List: no special status
CITES: no special status
State of Michigan List: no special status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: least concern
Although black-cowled orioles are frugivorous, there is no indication that they are considered a major crop pest.
Black-cowled orioles may occasionally help to pollinate crop fruit trees and disperse the seeds of fruits they eat, thus rendering "ecosystem services" (e.g., carbon sequestering by tropical forests).
Positive Impacts: pollinates crops; controls pest population
Black-cowled orioles likely spread seeds through their feces and may aid in expanding the range of some plants. In addition, this species plays a minor role in regulating insect populations. Black-cowled orioles appear to be a favored host for shiny cowbirds (Molothrus bonariensis) (Jaramillo and Burke 1999). See “Food Habits” and “Predation” for more information.
Ecosystem Impact: disperses seeds
Commensal/Parasitic Species:
Black-cowled orioles are largely frugivorous, but supplements their diet with insects and nectar. They prefer nectar from legumes, citrus, agave, and yucca. Black-cowled orioles are ‘nectar robbers’: they pierce the base of a flower to drain the nectar. As in other oriole species, members of this species have been known to employ "gaping" to forage in epiphytes, prying open plant material with its strong bill to gain access to burrowing insects (Jaramillo and Burke 1999; Skutch 1996).
Animal Foods: insects
Plant Foods: seeds, grains, and nuts; fruit; nectar
Primary Diet: herbivore (Frugivore )
Black-cowled orioles are native to coastal Mexico and Central America. Their range extends from southern Mexico, down the Atlantic coast of Central America to the Isthmus of Panama and includes the entire Yucatan peninsula. In Mexico, black-cowled orioles can be found in eastern Veracruz, northern Chiapas, northern Oaxaca, and in Yucatan (Howell 1999; Howell and Webb 1995; Jaramillo and Burke 1999; Toledo 1977) The nominate subspecies is found in the northern half of the range to Nicaragua. A second subspecies, I. p. praecox, is found from Nicaragua to the southernmost reaches of the range (Jaramillo and Burke 1999; Will 1991). A vagrant black-cowled oriole was sighted as far north as Nova Scotia (MacLaren 1981).
Biogeographic Regions: neotropical (Native )
Black-cowled orioles are a habitat edge species, preferring woodland and open fields with scattered brush (Howell 1999; Howell and Webb 1995; Jaramillo and Burke 1999; Will 1991). This species is also frequently seen in orchards, especially citrus plantations (Jaramillo and Burke 1999; Will 1991). They have also been seen in stands of bamboo and banana. This species also inhabits second-growth forest. Black-cowled orioles are found at elevations up to 3000 m (Davis 1972).
Range elevation: 0 to 3000 m.
Habitat Regions: tropical ; terrestrial
Terrestrial Biomes: savanna or grassland ; forest ; scrub forest ; mountains
Other Habitat Features: agricultural
Information on lifespan is not available in the literature.
Black-cowled orioles are small black and yellow orioles (Skutch 1996) found in Mexico and Central America. In adult males the head, wings, tail and chest are black while the back and underparts are yellow. A yellow wing patch (epaulet) is present in males, which is duller in females and immature individuals. A reddish-brown line divides the black and yellow patches where they meet at the chest (Davis 1972; Jaramillo and Burke 1999). As in other orioles, the bill is slightly curved and black, juveniles have a pinkish bill. Adult females are similar to adult males, but have duller plumage. The upperparts, which are yellow in males, are washed olive, the crown and nape are dull olive-yellow, though these regions are black in the male, and the wings are brownish, instead of the jet-black seen in males. Juveniles are similar in coloration to adult females, but are even duller (Howell and Webb 1995; Jaramillo and Burke 1999).
Black-cowled orioles may be mistaken in the field for Audubon’s orioles (Icterus graduacauda) or yellow-tailed orioles (Icterus chrysater) (Davis 1972; Howell and Webb 1995). However, Audubon’s orioles do not share their range with black-cowled orioles, while yellow-tailed orioles are brighter yellow and have more black on the shoulders (Howell and Webb 1995).
Other Physical Features: endothermic ; homoiothermic; bilateral symmetry
Sexual Dimorphism: male more colorful
Although there is little information regarding the natural predators of black-cowled orioles, potential predators include jays, squirrels, snakes and raptors. The eggs and young of sympatric oriole species are prey to the aforementioned predator species.
Black-cowled orioles are sexually monogamous, their breeding season lasting from March until July (Jaramillo and Burke 1999).
Mating System: monogamous
Black-cowled orioles attempt to raise a single clutch of two to four eggs per breeding season, like most other oriole species. The nest is a hanging basket that is woven of fine fibers and is usually placed underneath a banana leaf. The nest is attached to the leaf in an unusual manner: a bird will puncture the leaf to thread fiber through the leaf, resulting in a nest that is “sewn” into the tree. Though black-cowled orioles prefer banana trees, they will also nest in true palms or sago palms (Jaramillo and Burke 1999; Skutch 1996). An old source claims that a mated pair will cooperate to construct a nest (which would be unusual for songbirds) (Jaramillo and Burke 1999).
Breeding interval: A single clutch is laid per breeding season.
Breeding season: Breeding occurs from March until July.
Range eggs per season: 2 to 4.
Key Reproductive Features: iteroparous ; seasonal breeding ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual ; oviparous
Parental investment could not be evaluated given available information. Parents cooperate to raise their young.
Parental Investment: altricial ; male parental care ; female parental care ; pre-fertilization (Provisioning, Protecting: Female); pre-hatching/birth (Provisioning: Female, Protecting: Male, Female); pre-weaning/fledging (Provisioning: Male, Female, Protecting: Male, Female); pre-independence (Provisioning: Male, Female, Protecting: Male, Female)
