dcsimg

Untitled

provided by Animal Diversity Web

Altamira orioles have been integral to some stimulating research concerning the evolution of plumage in the genus Icterus. Dr. Kevin Omland has found several instances of convergent evolution in a variety of plumage characters within the genus, which can be summarized into two plumage types: Altamira plumage type and Baltimore plumage type. Omland and collegues have found that, while Baltimore orioles Icterus galbula, and Altamira orioles have very different plumage, their DNA characteristics demonstrate that they are quite closely related. Furthermore, plumage characteristics that are strikingly similar to that of Altamira orioles can be found in more distantly related species, such as spot-breasted orioles, Icterus pectoralis.

There is a consistent trend within the genus Icterus for males and females of tropical, non-migratory species to share plumage configurations. However, males of most temperate, migratory species have bright plumage characters and females have dull characters. In addition to his other work, Dr. Omland and his graduate students are trying to understand the function of bright female plumage in these and other tropical orioles. For more details on this research, visit the Omland Lab website at: http://www.umbc.edu/biosci/Faculty/OmlandLabWebpage/NewPages/index.htm

license
cc-by-nc-sa-3.0
copyright
The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors
bibliographic citation
Ihnacik, R. 2005. "Icterus gularis" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Icterus_gularis.html
author
Ryan Ihnacik, University of Maryland, Baltimore County
editor
Kevin Omland, University of Maryland, Baltimore County
original
visit source
partner site
Animal Diversity Web

Behavior

provided by Animal Diversity Web

Their singing is described as being "a loud, musical, but hesitant series of whistles, reminiscent of an inexperienced human whistler." Raspy, harsh notes may be used as an alarm call, while a quick, nasal "ike" may be used as a contact call between adults and upon arrival at the nest.

Nestlings have a relatively quiet, low pitched begging call. Interestingly, some nestlings in northern Texas apparently produce no sound, perhaps to avoid predation. Males will sometimes develop adult song before they have fully developed plumage.

Altamira orioles also use their keen vision and hearing as their main modes of perception.

Communication Channels: visual ; acoustic

Other Communication Modes: duets

Perception Channels: visual ; tactile ; acoustic ; chemical

license
cc-by-nc-sa-3.0
copyright
The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors
bibliographic citation
Ihnacik, R. 2005. "Icterus gularis" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Icterus_gularis.html
author
Ryan Ihnacik, University of Maryland, Baltimore County
editor
Kevin Omland, University of Maryland, Baltimore County
original
visit source
partner site
Animal Diversity Web

Conservation Status

provided by Animal Diversity Web

Altamira orioles are not considered threatened, although local populations may be negatively affected by habitat destruction.

US Migratory Bird Act: no special status

US Federal List: no special status

CITES: no special status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: least concern

license
cc-by-nc-sa-3.0
copyright
The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors
bibliographic citation
Ihnacik, R. 2005. "Icterus gularis" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Icterus_gularis.html
author
Ryan Ihnacik, University of Maryland, Baltimore County
editor
Kevin Omland, University of Maryland, Baltimore County
original
visit source
partner site
Animal Diversity Web

Benefits

provided by Animal Diversity Web

There are no known negative effects of Altamira orioles on humans.

license
cc-by-nc-sa-3.0
copyright
The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors
bibliographic citation
Ihnacik, R. 2005. "Icterus gularis" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Icterus_gularis.html
author
Ryan Ihnacik, University of Maryland, Baltimore County
editor
Kevin Omland, University of Maryland, Baltimore County
original
visit source
partner site
Animal Diversity Web

Benefits

provided by Animal Diversity Web

An attractive bird, Altamira orioles are popular among bird enthusiasts, potentially acting to draw ecotourism to areas they inhabit. As any member of a community within an ecosystem, they are integral to the function of the ecosystem, contributing to its health and beauty.

Positive Impacts: ecotourism ; research and education

license
cc-by-nc-sa-3.0
copyright
The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors
bibliographic citation
Ihnacik, R. 2005. "Icterus gularis" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Icterus_gularis.html
author
Ryan Ihnacik, University of Maryland, Baltimore County
editor
Kevin Omland, University of Maryland, Baltimore County
original
visit source
partner site
Animal Diversity Web

Associations

provided by Animal Diversity Web

As they are occasionally frugivorous, Altamira orioles aid in the dispersal of seeds. They are also important as predators of insects. While bronzed cowbirds (Molothrus aeneus) have been observed attempting to parasitize nests, they are almost never successful.

Ecosystem Impact: disperses seeds

Commensal/Parasitic Species:

  • bronzed cowbird (Molothrus aeneus)
license
cc-by-nc-sa-3.0
copyright
The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors
bibliographic citation
Ihnacik, R. 2005. "Icterus gularis" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Icterus_gularis.html
author
Ryan Ihnacik, University of Maryland, Baltimore County
editor
Kevin Omland, University of Maryland, Baltimore County
original
visit source
partner site
Animal Diversity Web

Trophic Strategy

provided by Animal Diversity Web

Altamira orioles are predominantly insectivores. However, they will occasionally eat fruit and nectar. It is postulated that they may eat seeds and nuts at some point in the year, due to the formidable size and structure of their bill. Nestlings are mainly fed orthopterans and insect larvae.

Animal Foods: insects

Plant Foods: seeds, grains, and nuts; fruit; nectar

Primary Diet: carnivore (Insectivore )

license
cc-by-nc-sa-3.0
copyright
The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors
bibliographic citation
Ihnacik, R. 2005. "Icterus gularis" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Icterus_gularis.html
author
Ryan Ihnacik, University of Maryland, Baltimore County
editor
Kevin Omland, University of Maryland, Baltimore County
original
visit source
partner site
Animal Diversity Web

Distribution

provided by Animal Diversity Web

Biogeographic Regions: nearctic (Native )

license
cc-by-nc-sa-3.0
copyright
The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors
bibliographic citation
Ihnacik, R. 2005. "Icterus gularis" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Icterus_gularis.html
author
Ryan Ihnacik, University of Maryland, Baltimore County
editor
Kevin Omland, University of Maryland, Baltimore County
original
visit source
partner site
Animal Diversity Web

Habitat

provided by Animal Diversity Web

Habitat Regions: tropical ; terrestrial

Terrestrial Biomes: savanna or grassland ; forest ; scrub forest

Wetlands: swamp

Other Habitat Features: riparian

license
cc-by-nc-sa-3.0
copyright
The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors
bibliographic citation
Ihnacik, R. 2005. "Icterus gularis" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Icterus_gularis.html
author
Ryan Ihnacik, University of Maryland, Baltimore County
editor
Kevin Omland, University of Maryland, Baltimore County
original
visit source
partner site
Animal Diversity Web

Life Expectancy

provided by Animal Diversity Web

There is no published longevity data available for Altamira orioles.

license
cc-by-nc-sa-3.0
copyright
The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors
bibliographic citation
Ihnacik, R. 2005. "Icterus gularis" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Icterus_gularis.html
author
Ryan Ihnacik, University of Maryland, Baltimore County
editor
Kevin Omland, University of Maryland, Baltimore County
original
visit source
partner site
Animal Diversity Web

Morphology

provided by Animal Diversity Web

Average wingspan: 125 mm.

Other Physical Features: endothermic ; homoiothermic; bilateral symmetry

Sexual Dimorphism: sexes alike; male larger

license
cc-by-nc-sa-3.0
copyright
The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors
bibliographic citation
Ihnacik, R. 2005. "Icterus gularis" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Icterus_gularis.html
author
Ryan Ihnacik, University of Maryland, Baltimore County
editor
Kevin Omland, University of Maryland, Baltimore County
original
visit source
partner site
Animal Diversity Web

Associations

provided by Animal Diversity Web

Altamira orioles have no known predators. Although it is possible that adults are taken by diurnal raptors and that eggs and nestlings might be taken by arboreal predators such as snakes and Bassariscus species.

license
cc-by-nc-sa-3.0
copyright
The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors
bibliographic citation
Ihnacik, R. 2005. "Icterus gularis" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Icterus_gularis.html
author
Ryan Ihnacik, University of Maryland, Baltimore County
editor
Kevin Omland, University of Maryland, Baltimore County
original
visit source
partner site
Animal Diversity Web

Reproduction

provided by Animal Diversity Web

Altamira orioles are seasonally monogamous and may be for life. They are almost always seen in pairs. Breeding begins in the spring and continues through the summer

Mating System: monogamous

Altamira orioles start building their nests as early as March. Generally they only produce one brood per season. However, more southerly populations can produce a second brood. In the event that they brood a second time, a second nest is always built. Nests are hanging baskets, which can be up to 65 cm long, and are built entirely by the female. Nests are built in approximately 3 weeks. Often built at the tip of a yielding branch (usually Mimosa) or a power line; the nests are rarely hidden. Built at an average of 9.3 m from the ground, nests are inaccessible by non-avian predators. Altamira orioles seem to prefer the northwest quadrants of trees, as 9 out of 10 nests have been observed to be built there in a tree's canopy.

In Northern Mexico and Texas, breeding begins in April and lasts through July or August. In Oaxaca, Mexico, breeding starts a little later, in May, and goes through July. The average clutch size is 4.9, but decreases as one moves south. The average incubation period is 14 days. Little is known of the time to fledging. However, the offspring and adults become hostile, chasing away other species of birds for approximately one week after the young leave the nest.

Breeding interval: Altamira orioles breed once or twice a year.

Breeding season: Breeding occurs from April to August.

Average eggs per season: 4.9.

Average time to hatching: 14 days.

Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female): 1 years.

Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male): 1 years.

Key Reproductive Features: iteroparous ; seasonal breeding ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual ; oviparous

Young are fed by both males and females about every six to eight minutes during the day. In the event that a pair broods a second time, males will assume most of the feeding responsibility, while females build a second nest. Usually, fecal sacs are removed only by females.

Parental Investment: altricial ; pre-fertilization (Provisioning, Protecting: Female); pre-hatching/birth (Protecting: Male, Female); pre-weaning/fledging (Provisioning: Male, Protecting: Male, Female)

license
cc-by-nc-sa-3.0
copyright
The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors
bibliographic citation
Ihnacik, R. 2005. "Icterus gularis" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Icterus_gularis.html
author
Ryan Ihnacik, University of Maryland, Baltimore County
editor
Kevin Omland, University of Maryland, Baltimore County
original
visit source
partner site
Animal Diversity Web

Comprehensive Description

provided by Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology
Icterus gularis (Wagler)

To the few earlier records of this oriole as a victim of the bronzed cowbird (Friedmann, 1963:183; 1971:253) may be added three more from Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas, all found and reported to us by Miguel Alvarez del Toro.

SCARLET-HEADED ORIOLE
license
cc-by-nc-sa-3.0
bibliographic citation
Friedmann, Herbert, Kiff, Lloyd F., and Rothstein, Stephen I. 1977. "A further contribution of knowledge of the host relations of the parasitic cowbirds." Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology. 1-75. https://doi.org/10.5479/si.00810282.235

Altamira oriole

provided by wikipedia EN

The Altamira oriole (Icterus gularis) is a New World oriole. The bird is widespread in subtropical lowlands of the Mexican Gulf Coast and northern Central America, the Pacific coast and inland. They have since spread to southern Texas, but this was not until 1939.[2]

At 25 cm (9.8 in) and 56 g (2.0 oz), this is the largest oriole in genus Icterus. The bird nests in open woodland, with the nest being a very long woven pouch, attached to the end of a horizontal tree branch, sometimes to telephone wires.

This bird forages high in trees, sometimes in the undergrowth. They mainly eat insects and berries.

These birds are permanent residents, and unlike the migratory orioles that breed in the US, the species is sexually monomorphic—both the males and the females have elaborate coloration and patterning.

Description

In Bentsen State Park, Texas, US

Both males and females have a black mandible and throat, as well as a black back and long black tail. Wings are black, but the remiges and rectrices (flight feathers) are fringed with white. These form a single white wing bar and white wing spots when folded. The secondary coverts form orange epaulets. The underside is almost uniformly orange or yellowish-orange. In general, immature specimens have an olive back, and a dull yellow on its head and its body. The first-year bird is similar to the adult, but it has an olive, not black, back, and yellow-olive tail.[3][4]

Behavior

The bird lives in semi-arid areas with scattered trees, and open riparian woodland. The bird is a solitary nester as well, with an average of a quarter kilometer between nests. Little aggression has been observed in breeding season from this bird, and it is not known to be territorial.[5]

Reproduction

In Texas, their breeding season ranges from late April to late July. Their nest resembles a small pouch made of moss, grass, palm fibers, weeds, strips of bark, and is lined with feathers. The nest may also hang from telephone wires. The nest is assumed to be built by the female, but it is not known how long this takes. 4–6 eggs are laid, and nestlings are fed and cared for by both parents.[2]

Diet

The Altamira oriole is a forage gleaner, searching for food through the tree-tops to the near-ground bottom of the tree. Its diet includes fruit (small fruits, hackberries and figs) and insects, such as grasshoppers, crickets, and caterpillars.[2]

Voice

The song of the Altamira oriole is a series of clear, slow musical whistles. In contrast, the Altamira's calls are harsh whistles, rasping chatter, and nasal "ike"s.[6]

References

  1. ^ BirdLife International (2020). "Icterus gularis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T22724108A136742905. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T22724108A136742905.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  2. ^ a b c "Altamira Oriole". Audubon. National Audubon Society. 13 November 2014. Retrieved 3 May 2016.
  3. ^ "Altamira Oriole, Identification". allaboutbirds.org. The Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Cornell University. Retrieved 27 February 2014.
  4. ^ Scott, Shirley L., ed. (1994). Field Guide to the Birds of North America (2nd ed.). The National Geographic Society. pp. 428–429. ISBN 0-87044-692-4.
  5. ^ "Altamira Oriole, Life History". All About Birds. Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Retrieved 3 May 2016.
  6. ^ "Altamira Oriole Sounds, All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology".
license
cc-by-sa-3.0
copyright
Wikipedia authors and editors
original
visit source
partner site
wikipedia EN

Altamira oriole: Brief Summary

provided by wikipedia EN

The Altamira oriole (Icterus gularis) is a New World oriole. The bird is widespread in subtropical lowlands of the Mexican Gulf Coast and northern Central America, the Pacific coast and inland. They have since spread to southern Texas, but this was not until 1939.

At 25 cm (9.8 in) and 56 g (2.0 oz), this is the largest oriole in genus Icterus. The bird nests in open woodland, with the nest being a very long woven pouch, attached to the end of a horizontal tree branch, sometimes to telephone wires.

This bird forages high in trees, sometimes in the undergrowth. They mainly eat insects and berries.

These birds are permanent residents, and unlike the migratory orioles that breed in the US, the species is sexually monomorphic—both the males and the females have elaborate coloration and patterning.

license
cc-by-sa-3.0
copyright
Wikipedia authors and editors
original
visit source
partner site
wikipedia EN