Streak-Backed Oriole
Icterus pustulatus
Also known as: Scarlet-Headed Oriole
About This Species
An oriole of dry forest, scrub and open woodland from Mexico to Costa Rica, often seen weaving long, hanging nests from the tips of thorny branches or palm fronds. Look for a bright orange-yellow bird with a black back, throat and wings, foraging actively for insects and nectar in flowering trees, and listen for its clear, whistled song. Dry-season flowering trees draw the most reliable activity.
Ethical Viewing Guidelines
- Nests are conspicuous and easily disturbed, so admire hanging nests from a distance rather than approaching or handling them, particularly during the breeding season when adults are provisioning young.
- General courtesy applies in scrub and forest habitat: stay on paths, avoid lingering too long near an active nest, and keep noise to a minimum.
LCAvesPasseriformesIcteridae
Seasonal Activity
163,328 sightings · 2000–2026
Citizen science records via GBIF
All monthsThis month
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Aves
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Icteridae
Photo
(c) FRANCISCO MIGUEL FARRIOLS ESTRADA, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by FRANCISCO MIGUEL FARRIOLS ESTRADA
CC-BY-NC-4.0
Occurrence data from GBIF.