Russet-backed Oropendola
Psarocolius angustifrons
Silhouette: Sheatherius · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassAves (Birds)
- OrderPasseriformes (Perching Birds)
- FamilyIcteridae (New World Blackbirds and Orioles)
- GenusPsarocolius (Oropendolas)
- SpeciesPsarocolius angustifrons (Russet-backed Oropendola)
About the Russet-backed Oropendola
The russet-backed oropendola (Psarocolius angustifrons) is a species of bird in the family Icteridae, the oropendolas, New World orioles, and New World blackbirds. It is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela. It is a "noisy and social bird that forages, nests, and roosts in groups".
The russet-backed oropendola was formally described in 1824 with the binomial Cassicus angustifrons. Authors placed it variously in genera Xanthornus or Ostinops before it was assigned to its present Psarocolius. The russet-backed oropendola's further taxonomy is unsettled. The IOC, the Clements taxonomy, AviList, and the independent South American Classification Committee assign it these seven subspecies:
P. a. salmoni (Sclater, PL, 1883) P. a. atrocastaneus (Cabanis, 1873) P. a. sincipitalis (Cabanis, 1873) P. a. neglectus (Chapman, 1914) P. a. oleagineus (Sclater, PL, 1883) P. a. angustifrons (Spix, 1824) P. a. alfredi (des Murs, 1856)
However, in 2016 BirdLife International's Handbook of the Birds of the World (HBW) split P. oleagineus as the species "green-billed oropendola" and as of late 2025 retains it separately. Clements makes a distinction... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Russet-backed Oropendola in Madidi National Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Madidi National Park
Crested Oropendola
Psarocolius decumanus
Olive Oropendola
Psarocolius bifasciatus
Dusky-green Oropendola
Psarocolius atrovirens
Yellow-rumped Cacique
Cacicus cela
Giant Cowbird
Molothrus oryzivorus
Epaulet Oriole
Icterus cayanensis
Shiny Cowbird
Molothrus bonariensis
Orange-backed Oriole
Icterus icterus
Red-breasted Blackbird
Sturnella militaris
Red-rumped Cacique
Cacicus haemorrhous
Mountain Cacique
Cacicus chrysonotus
Solitary Black Cacique
Cacicus solitarius
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Amacayacu National Natural Park | 🇨🇴 Colombia | |
| 2 | Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve | 🇪🇨 Ecuador | |
| 3 | Yasuní National Park | 🇪🇨 Ecuador | |
| 4 | Manu National Park | 🇵🇪 Peru | |
| 5 | Tambopata National Reserve | 🇵🇪 Peru | |
| 6 | Podocarpus National Park | 🇪🇨 Ecuador | |
| 7 | Sierra de la Macarena National Park | 🇨🇴 Colombia | |
| 8 | Henri Pittier National Park | 🇻🇪 Venezuela | |
| 9 | Madidi National Park | 🇧🇴 Bolivia | |
| 10 | Chingaza National Natural Park | 🇨🇴 Colombia | |
| 11 | Cordillera Azul National Park | 🇵🇪 Peru | |
| 12 | Amboró National Park | 🇧🇴 Bolivia | |
| 13 | Puracé National Natural Park | 🇨🇴 Colombia | |
| 14 | Farallones de Cali National Natural Park | 🇨🇴 Colombia | |
| 15 | Noel Kempff Mercado National Park | 🇧🇴 Bolivia | |
| 16 | Anavilhanas National Park | 🇧🇷 Brazil | |
| 17 | Los Nevados National Natural Park | 🇨🇴 Colombia | |
| 18 | Darién National Park | 🇵🇦 Panama |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Russet-backed Oropendola in Madidi National Park?
About 30% of wildlife watchers report a Russet-backed Oropendola sighting in Madidi National Park, based on 206 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Russet-backed Oropendola in Madidi National Park?
August has the highest sighting rate for Russet-backed Oropendola in Madidi National Park in our monthly data.