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'''New World orioles''' are a group of [[bird]]s in the genus '''''Icterus''''' of the [[Icterid|blackbird]] family. Unrelated to [[Old World orioles]] of the family [[Oriolidae]], they are strikingly similar in size, diet, behaviour, and strongly contrasting [[Feather|plumage]], a good example of [[convergent evolution]]. As a result the two have been given the same vernacular name.
'''New World orioles''' are a group of [[bird]]s in the genus '''''Icterus''''' of the [[Icterid|blackbird]] family. Unrelated to [[Old World orioles]] of the family [[Oriolidae]], they are strikingly similar in size, diet, behaviour, and strongly contrasting [[Feather|plumage]], a good example of [[convergent evolution]]. As a result the two have been given the same vernacular name.


The males are typically black and yellow or orange, with white markings; the plumage of females and immature birds is duller. These birds go through one [[moult]] in a year. They are generally slender with long tails and a pointed bill. They mainly eat [[insect]]s, but also enjoy [[nectar]] and [[fruit]]. The nest is a woven, elongated pouch. Several species are easy to attract to birdtables by the provision of cut [[Orange (fruit)|oranges]] and grape jelly. Species nesting in areas with cold winters (including most of the [[United States]]) are strongly [[Bird migration|migratory]], while subtropical and tropical species are more sedentary.
Males are typically black and vibrant yellow or orange with white markings, females and immature birds duller. They [[moult]] annually. New World orioles are generally slender with long tails and a pointed bill. They mainly eat [[insect]]s, but also enjoy [[nectar]] and [[fruit]]. The nest is a woven, elongated pouch. Species nesting in areas with cold winters are strongly [[Bird migration|migratory]], while subtropical and tropical species are more sedentary.


The name "oriole" was first recorded (in the [[Latin]] form ''oriolus'') by [[Albertus Magnus]] in about 1250, and was stated by him to be [[Onomatopoeia|onomatopoeic]], from the song of the European [[Golden Oriole]].
The name "oriole" was first recorded (in the [[Latin]] form ''oriolus'') by [[Albertus Magnus]] in about 1250, and was stated by him to be [[Onomatopoeia|onomatopoeic]], from the song of the European [[Golden Oriole]].

Revision as of 04:24, 1 June 2014

"Icterus" redirects here. For the medical condition, see jaundice.

New World orioles
Baltimore Oriole, Icterus galbula
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Chordata
Class:
Aves
Order:
Passeriformes
Family:
Icteridae
Genus:
Icterus

Brisson, 1760
Species

25-30 species, see text

New World orioles are a group of birds in the genus Icterus of the blackbird family. Unrelated to Old World orioles of the family Oriolidae, they are strikingly similar in size, diet, behaviour, and strongly contrasting plumage, a good example of convergent evolution. As a result the two have been given the same vernacular name.

Males are typically black and vibrant yellow or orange with white markings, females and immature birds duller. They moult annually. New World orioles are generally slender with long tails and a pointed bill. They mainly eat insects, but also enjoy nectar and fruit. The nest is a woven, elongated pouch. Species nesting in areas with cold winters are strongly migratory, while subtropical and tropical species are more sedentary.

The name "oriole" was first recorded (in the Latin form oriolus) by Albertus Magnus in about 1250, and was stated by him to be onomatopoeic, from the song of the European Golden Oriole.

The genus name Icterus as used by classical authors, referred to a bird with yellow or green plumage. In modern times this has been identified as the golden oriole. Brisson re-applied the name to the New World birds because of their similarity in appearance.[1]

Provisional species list

This species list is provisional. The exact delimitation of several taxa is unclear, and hybridization seems to be a significant confounding factor, for example in the Baltimore and Bullock's Oriole:

Streak-backed Oriole, Icterus pustulatus

References

  1. ^ Newton, Alfred (1911). "Icterus" . In Chisholm, Hugh (ed.). Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press.
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