Eurasian Golden Oriole
Oriolus oriolus
Also known as: Golden Oriole, Oriol
Habitat
Canopy
Diet
Omnivore
Active Time
Diurnal
Size
79 g
About This Species
A vividly coloured songbird of tall broadleaf woodland canopy across Europe and western Asia, far more often heard than seen thanks to its fluting, far-carrying song. Bright yellow males can be maddeningly hard to spot against dappled canopy leaves, so scanning the tops of mature trees, especially poplars and oaks, in late spring gives the best chance. Its rich, whistled call is usually the first and sometimes only clue to its presence.
Ethical Viewing Guidelines
- Stay on paths and avoid approaching canopy nest sites directly, since this species is shy and quick to go quiet or retreat deeper into foliage when disturbed.
- It is protected under wildlife law across most of its European breeding range, though specific provisions and enforcement differ between countries.
- Playback of its call should be used sparingly if at all, as repeated broadcasting near a territory can disrupt normal breeding behaviour.
LCAvesPasseriformesOriolidae
Seasonal Activity
565,064 sightings · 2000–2026
Citizen science records via GBIF
All monthsThis month
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Aves
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Oriolidae
Traits
- Diet
- Omnivore
- Foraging
- Canopy
- Activity
- Diurnal
- Body mass
- 79 g
Photo
(c) Edwin Arrigui Torres, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Edwin Arrigui Torres
CC-BY-NC-4.0
Occurrence data from GBIF.