Return of Bird of the Week: Montezuma’s Oropendola
The largest of the four Central American oropendolas, the Montezuma’s Oropendola absolutely lives up to its big name.
Montezuma’s Oropendola, Costa Rica
This is the big cousin of North America’s Red-winged Blackbird, is the largest member of the Icterid family of birds. Not only is its coloration spectacular; it’s a colonial nester and a dawn chorus of Montezuma Oropendolas will knock you right out of your bed. Together with Howler Monkeys, their calls are one of the signature sounds of the jungles of Middle America.
Montezuma’s Oropendola, Costa Rica
Its name in both English and Spanish give tribute to the last Aztec emperor, Moctezuma II. The word “oropendola” is derived from the term gold pendulum, referring to the bird’s bright yellow tail, and the male’s unusual habit of bowing forward when calling (sometimes completing a complete flip on a branch) as part of its elaborate courtship display.
The term oropendola also refers at the species’ nest. Like many Icterids, it builds a narrow woven basket that hangs high in tree branches. The oropendola are quite adept at weaving vines to create their pendulous nests, which are securely anchored away from most predators.
Oropendola Nests, Darièn Province, Panama
An altogether impressive species, it’s found from far southern Mexico to eastern Panama, most commonly on the Caribbean side of the isthmus.
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