Orioles

                                       Black headed Oriole
Facts about Orioles

World- 29 species

Africa -9 Kenya 6 Tanzania 4

Arboreal,starling-sized birds,the sexes are alike,plumage is largely yellow and olive,often with black on head or wings.Most species are shy and remain hidden in high foliage,their presence revealed by loud fluty whistles,they are typically solitary although numbers congregate in fruiting trees,and they are frequently join mixed-species flock ,diet consists mainly of insects,but some species eat fruits and flowers,foraging movements are rather slow and deliberate,but flight tends to be swift an undulating.The typical nest is a well woven cup or flimsy basket of grasses,moss and lichens,suspended from a slender horizontal tree fork,two eggs are pinkish or white with brown and lavender markings.

                               immature black headed Oriole
Species found in East Africa

• Black headed Oriole-Oriolus larvatus rolleti
• Montane Oriole- Oriolus percivali
• Western black headed Oriole- Oriolus brachyrhynchus laetior
• Green headed Oriole- Oriolus chlorocephalus amani
• African golden Oriole-Oriolus auratus
• Eurasian Golden Oriole- Oriolus. o.oriolus
  

                              immature black headed Oriole

                  15 Days Birding Tour