Yellow-backed Oriole
Icterus chrysater
Silhouette: Matt Wilkins · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassAves (Birds)
- OrderPasseriformes (Perching Birds)
- FamilyIcteridae (New World Blackbirds and Orioles)
- GenusIcterus (New World Orioles)
- SpeciesIcterus chrysater (Yellow-backed Oriole)
About the Yellow-backed Oriole
The yellow-backed oriole (Icterus chrysater) is a species of bird in the family Icteridae. Yellow-backed orioles are a yellow-bodied, sexually monomorphic species. They average 21.5 cm (8.5 in) in length from beak to tail; making it a relatively medium-sized oriole species. Exposed skin and claws are bluish-black; in adults, the bill is black, with the base of the mandible becoming bluish-grey.
Adult males display strongly contrasting yellow and black plumage. The wings, tail, shoulders, throat, and face are all black; by contrast, the back and underparts are an extremely bright yellow. Adult females closely resemble males, but yellow parts appear slightly greenish. Despite differences in plumage coloration between sexes, it is likely that this species is extremely difficult to sex in the field.
Immature yellow-backed orioles resemble adult females in overall pattern, but are greener; additionally, the flight feathers, which are black in females, are dark brown. Immature yellow-backed orioles are easily distinguished from adult females by their olive eye-line.
Similar species include the South American yellow oriole (Icterus nigrogularis). Wikipedia →
Closest Relatives at Darién National Park
Orange-crowned Oriole
Icterus auricapillus
Baltimore Oriole
Icterus galbula
Orchard Oriole
Icterus spurius
Yellow-tailed Oriole
Icterus mesomelas
Crested Oropendola
Psarocolius decumanus
Chestnut-headed Oropendola
Psarocolius wagleri
Black Oropendola
Psarocolius guatimozinus
Great-tailed Grackle
Quiscalus mexicanus
Yellow-rumped Cacique
Cacicus cela
Shiny Cowbird
Molothrus bonariensis
Giant Cowbird
Molothrus oryzivorus
Red-breasted Blackbird
Sturnella militaris
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Yellow-backed Oriole in Darién National Park?
About 10% of wildlife watchers report a Yellow-backed Oriole sighting in Darién National Park, based on 440 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Yellow-backed Oriole in Darién National Park?
January has the highest sighting rate for Yellow-backed Oriole in Darién National Park in our monthly data.