Streak-backed Oriole (Icterus pustulatus)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Icterus (a yellow bird) pustulatus ("pimply")

Streak-backed Oriole (Icterus pustulatus) at Tarcoles, Costa Rica - November 2025

Featured Subspecies: Icterus pustulatus sclateri
Weight: 38g/kg  /  Length: 20cm  /  Wingspan: ?
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

This species possesses an unusual bit of sexual dimorphism where in the North of their range the sexes are highly dimorphic where the female is drab, while the population gets further South, both sexes have bright colouration. This is believed to be because with more abundant resources in the tropics, greater territoriality is required to be shared between the partners.
 
Related Species: 
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Icteridae
Genus: Icterus
SUBSPECIES: I. p. alticola I. p. dickermani, I. p. graysonii, I. p. interior, I. p. maximus, I. p. microstictus, I. p. pustulatus, I. p. pustulatus, I. p. ppustuloides, I. p. sclateri, I. p. yaegeri
 
- Sighting Locations -

COSTA RICA - Spanish - Turpial de Fuego
Found in the North West
- COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: Seen at Tarcoles

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

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Spot-breasted Oriole (Icterus pectoralis)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology:  Icterus (a yellow bird) pectoralis ("breast")

Spot-breasted Oriole (Icterus pectoralis) at Alajuela, Costa Rica - November 2025

Featured Subspecies: Icterus pectoralis espinachi
Weight: 50g  /  Length: 21-24cm  /  Wingspan: ?
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A vividly coloured species where, unlike many New World Orioles, both male and female are brightly coloured. Their native range is Mexico to North West Costa Rica, but, following being introduced to Miami they have also established a range in Florida. They feed primarily on nectar and fruit, soetimes supplemented with arthropods.
 
Related Species: 
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Icteridae
Genus: Icterus
SUBSPECIES: I. p. carolynae, I. p. pectoralis, I. p. guttulatus, I. p. espiachi
 
- Sighting Locations - 

COSTA RICA - Spanish - Turpial de Pecho Manchado

Found in North-West Costa Rica
- COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: Seen at Alajuela 

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

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Melodious Blackbird (Dives dives)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology:  Dives (costly) dives (costly)

Melodious Blackbird (Dives dives) at Tarcoles, Costa Rica - November 2025

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 95-108g  /  Length: 23-25cm  /  Wingspan: ?
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A species with a confined range from the Yucatan Penninsula to Northern Costa Rica that nonetheless can be one of the more common species within its range. Indeed, its range has actually expanded considerably in recent times with only a single record in Costa Rica prior to 1989 and now it is an established species expected to expand further into Panama.
 
Related Species: 
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Icteridae
Genus: Dives
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 
 
- Sighting Locations -

COSTA RICA - Spanish - Zanate Cantor
Found in North West
- COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: Seen at Tarcoles

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

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Great-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus mexicanus)

OTHER NAMES: Mexican Grackle
Latin Etymology:  Quiscalus (unclear origin) mexicanus ("of Mexico")

Great-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus mexicanus) at Hotel Robledal, Costa Rica - November 2025

Featured Subspecies: Quiscalus mexicanus peruvianus
Weight: 115-265g  /  Length: 38-46cm  /  Wingspan: 58-54cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A bold, rowdy species of bird that has adapted well to human habitation, often being one of the most conspicuous birds in more urban parts of Costa Rica. They are highly social and are often found in flocks near water. Though not corvids, they somewhat fulfil a similar niche as crows do in Europe being highly intelligent omnivores that are adaptable to food sources including hunting, scavenging and eating fruit or grain.
 
Related Species: 
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Icteridae
Genus: Quiscalus
SUBSPECIES: Q. m. nelsoni, Q. m. graysoni, Q. m. obscurus, Q. m. prosopidicola  Q. m. mexicanus, Q. m. loweryi, Q. m. peruvianus
 
- Sighting Locations - 

COSTA RICA - Spanish - Zanate Mexicano

Widespread and Common
- COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: Seen at Tarcoles, San Jose and Alajuela

 

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

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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

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Orchard Oriole (Icterus spurius)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Icterus (a yellow bird) spurius (misidentified)

Adult Juvenile/ Female Orchard Orioles (Icterus spurius) at Sully Creek State Park, North Dakota, USA - August 2024

Featured Subspecies: Icterus spurius spurius
Weight: 16-28g  /  Length: 15-18cm  /  Wingspan: 25cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Orchard orioles are the smallest member of the Icterids and can be found throughout the Eastern USA. The adult males have distinctive black and rich orange plumage while the females and juveniles have a more subdued yellow and green palette.  Their nests are shaped like pouches which are attached to horizontal tree branches.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Icteridae
Genus: Icterus
SUBSPECIES: I. s. spurious, I. s. fuertesi

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED STATES - Breeds in most of Eastern USA
 - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: Seen in North Dakota

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

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Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Icterus (a yellow bird) galbula (a yellow bird - presumably Golden Oriole)

 

Adult female Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula) at Campton, Illinois, USA - August 2024

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 33g  /  Length: 17-22cm  /  Wingspan: 23-32cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Despite the name implying a geographic connection to the City of the same name, the Baltimore Oriole actually gets it's name from the male's colours resembling the colours of the heraldy of Lord Baltimore, am English Lord who was the first proprietor of Maryland. While largely insectivorous they will also frequent hummingbird feeders.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Icteridae
Genus: Icterus
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED STATES - Breeds in North East US, Winters in California and Florida
 - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: Seen in Illinois

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

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Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Quiscalus (unclear origin) quiscula (unclear origin)

 

Juvenile Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) in North Dakota - July 2024

Featured Subspecies: Bronzed Grackle - Quiscalus quiscula versicolor
Weight: 74-142g  /  Length: 28-34cm  /  Wingspan: 35-46cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Near Threatened 

A common and omnivorous bird that has generally adapted well to human habitation and will nest in made made structures, but nonetheless is considered Near Threatened due to being significantly down from it's historic peak. They have a beak with a special saw like plate inside adapted for making them better at crushing hard nuts.  They also are somewhat attuned to Earth's magnetic field, although the precise purpose and utility of this is still unclear.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Icteridae
Genus: Quiscalus
SUBSPECIES: Q. q. quiscula, Q. q. stonei, Q. q. versicolor

 - Sighting Locations -

CANADA -Breeding migrant across South East Canada.
  - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: - Seen in Alberta

UNITED STATES - Resident in South East USA, migrant Breeding range extends further North and West.
 - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: Seen in Illinois, North Dakota and Montana

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

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Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Agelaius ("gregarious") phoeniceus ("red")

 

Adult Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) at St Charles, Illinois - July 2024

Featured Subspecies: ?
Weight: 35-80g  /  Length: 17-24cm  /  Wingspan: 31-40cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern 

One of the most ubiquitous birds of North America, the Red-winged Blackbird has adapted well to human encorachment, despite the loss of many of it's traditional preferred wetland habitats. They nest in loose colones in reeds or bushes. It is believed to be one of the most studied bird species in the world.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Icteridae
Genus: Agelaius
SUBSPECIES: A. p. arctolegus, A. p. fortis, A. p. nevadensis, A. p. caurinus, A. p. aciculatus, A. p. neutralis, A. p. sonoriensis, A. p. nyaritensis, A. p. grinnelli, A. p. phoeniceus, A. p. littoralis, A. p. mearnsi, A. p. floridanus, A. p. megapotamus, A. p. richmondi, A. p. pallidulus, A. p. nelsoni, A. p. matudae, A. p. arthuralleni, A. p. brevirostris, A. p. bryanti, A. p. mailliardorum, A. p. californicus, A. p. gubernator             

 - Sighting Locations -

CANADA -Breeds throughout much of the country except the tundra.
  - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: - Seen in Alberta

UNITED STATES - Resident or breeding migrant throughout the entire lower 48, and some patches of Alaska.
 - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: Extremely common bird in the lower 48 section of the trip.

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

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Western Meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Sturnella (diminutive of sturnus - starling) neglecta ("overlooked")

Juvenile Western Meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta) at Sully Creek State Park, North Dakota - July 2024

Featured Subspecies: Sturnella neglecta neglecta
Weight: 88-116g  /  Length: 16-26cm  /  Wingspan: 41cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Arguably the most characteristic bird species of the Great Plains, the Western Meadowlark was probably the species I was seeing most regularly in the stretch of the journey between Fargo and Edmonton. Despite the name, it isn't related to Old World Larks, and instead is more technically a New World Blackbird. The differences between it and the Eastern Meadowlark are very subtle, but our journey mostly took place where only Western is present.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Icteridae
Genus: Sturnella
SUBSPECIES: S. n. neglecta, S. n. confluenta

 - Sighting Locations -

CANADA - A very common species on the plains
  - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: - Very common from the border to around Edmonton.

UNITED STATES - Widely distribtued West of the Great Lakes
 - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: One of the most common species seen in North Dakota and Montanna

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

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Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Molothrus ("struggle to sire") ater ("black")

Juvenile Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) on Half Moon Bay Pelagic September 2022

Featured Subspecies: unclear
Weight: 38-49g  /  Length: 16-22cm  /  Wingspan: 36cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A noted brood-parasite, the brown-headed cowbird isn't nearly as specialised into it as other noted species such as the common cuckoo, and taks a fairly cattershot approach, to the point where it has been recording attempting to parasitise over 220 other species. It's aided by the fact it is prolific at producting eggs, with up to 36 a season being recorded! Bizarrely, the first time I saw this species was miles out to sea where one came in and landed on our boat!

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Icteridae
Genus: Molothrus
SUBSPECIES: M. a. artemisiae, M. a. obscurus, M. a. ater, M. a. californicus

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED STATES 
Breeding or resident throughout almost all of Lower 48, Winters only in Southern Florida
 - CALIFORNIA 2022 TRIP: Seen on the Half Moon Bay Pelagic Trip and in Half Moon Bay

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

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Brewer's Blackbird (Euphagus cyanocephalus)

OTHER NAMES: N/A

Latin Etymology: Euphagus ("good eating") cyanocephalus ("dark blue headed")

Adult male Brewer's Blackbird (Euphagus cyanocephalus) at Monterey, California - September 2022

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 63g/kg  /  Length: 20-26cm  /  Wingspan: 39cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A bird that in many ways has the feel of a North American answer to a Jackdaw, they have the same dark plumage, pale eye, upright stance and marching gait that I would associate with that species, not to mention that I also first encountered them in a carpark. Despite all this however, they are not closely related, being a part of the Icterids - better known as the New World Blackbirds.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Icteridae
Genus: Euphagus
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED STATES 
A large range resident on the West Coast, Breeding in Northern States as far East as the Great Lakes and Wintering in the South.
 - CALIFORNIA 2022 TRIP: Seen at  San Francisco and Monterey

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

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