General

Altamira Oriole: Largest North American oriole, with brilliant yellow-orange body and black back, mask, bib, and tail. Wings are black with white bar and feather edges. Female is duller, with dark brown wings and olive-yellow back. Juvenile is duller and appears more yellow, with dark brown wings and olive-yellow back; lacks black mask during first summer.

Range and Habitat

Altamira Oriole: Native of Mexico; has small range in the southern tip of Texas. Preferred habitats include riparian woodlands, open woodlands, arid scrub, and mesquite in the lower Rio Grande Valley of southeastern Texas.

Breeding and Nesting

Altamira Oriole: Three to four white eggs heavily marked with brown are laid in a fibrous nest made of grass and plant materials, and suspended from a tree branch or utility wire. Incubation ranges from 12 to 14 days and is carried out by the female.

Foraging and Feeding

Altamira Oriole: Feeds on insect, spiders, and fruits such as figs and berries.

Readily Eats

Suet, Jelly, Orange Halves, Raisins

Vocalization

Altamira Oriole: Song is rapid series of 2 to 4 clear, flutelike whistles "chee-choo." Call is a nasal "yehuk."

Similar Species

Altamira Oriole: Hooded Oriole Breeding Adult has a smaller bill and white, not yellow, shoulder patches.