Birds of Costa Rica - Psarocolius

Genus Psarocolius, Oropendolas, are very large blackbirds, around 40 cm., which travel and nest in groups, and weave hanging nests made from long plant fibers.


Crested Oropendola (Psarocolius decumanus decumanus) Minca, Magdalena, Colombia Seen here making the distinctive oropendola sound, which includes wing flapping.
Photograph by Tom Friedel © All Rights Reserved.

Note ivory bill and mostly black color. Often found where the same-sized but brown Russet-backed Oropendola is not. Oropendola move in groups and build hanging weaved nests in palm trees.
At a nest.


Montezuma Oropendola (Psarocolius montezuma) Arenal Observatory, Costa Rica
Photograph by Tom Friedel © All Rights Reserved.


Chestnut-headed Oropendola (Psarocolius wagleri ridgwayi) Bahia Solano, Choco, Colombia
Photograph by Tom Friedel © All Rights Reserved.

A bit smaller than the Russet-backed Oropendola and Crested Oropendola, but with similar sounds and hanging nests.

© Tom Friedel - All Rights Reserved, except for images and data otherwise noted.       Colombia       Panama       Ecuador       Costa Rica       Mexico
Experimental sites:       Peru       Venezuela       The World       Brazil       Bolivia
Really Experimental sites:       Guyana       Cuba