Montezuma Oropendola (Psarocolius montezuma)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Psarocolius (?) montezuma (for Emperor Montezuma of the Aztecs)

 

Montezuma Oropendola (Psarocolius montezuma) at Tarcoles, Costa Rica - November 2025

Featured Subspecies: N/A 
Weight: 520g  /  Length: 50cm  /  Wingspan: ?
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A large and unmistakeable member of the icterids, its distinctive face gives it something of the air of an alien crow species. Found from Mexico to Panama, they nest in large hanging nests in colonies where the females build all the nests and there is a single dominant male who wins their attention with a bowing based display.
 
Related Species: 
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Icteridae
Genus: Psarocolius
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 
 
- Sighting Locations -

COSTA RICA - Spanish - Zacua Mayor
Widespread, thoguh patchily.
- COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: One seen at Tarcoles 

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto