Crested Oropendola Gallery

Psarocolius decumanus

The Birds of the World website introduces the Crested Oropendola with this descriptive information:  Undoubtedly overall the commonest and most widespread oropendola, the Crested Oropendola occurs from Costa Rica, where the species arrived as recently as 1999, south over much of South America east of the Andes, as far as northeast Argentina. The bird’s plumage appears largely black with a chestnut rump and ventral underparts, while most of the tail is yellow, which is especially obvious in flight or from below when perched, and the irides are blue. The Crested Oropendola is principally found below 1000 m, but has been recorded to at least 2600 m in Colombia, and in some areas it appears to perform some regular seasonal movements. The species’ colonies are regularly attended by the parasitic Giant Cowbird (Molothrus oryzivorus).

I met my first Crested Oropendola on the morning of Tuesday, August 23, 2023.  Our Jeff Parker Tour group was staying at Southwild’s Santa Tereza Lodge and I watched this bird during an afternoon boat ride on the Rio Sararé, which is near the lodge.  For details of my Brazilian trip that include the sighting of this bird, look here.  Below are a couple of my photos of this striking and energetic bird.