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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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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