Psarocolius decumanus

(Pallas, 1769)

Vernacular names
English : Crested oropendola
French : Cassique huppé

Classification
Class : Aves
Order : Passeriformes
Family : Icteridae
Notes : 4 subspecies known

Identification
Adults can grow to 47 cm for a weight of 284 g. Males are much bigger than females. Plumage is shiny black (duller for females)with bright chestnut rump and yellow margin on tail feather. Long cream bill expanding in small casque.

Range and habitat
The species occurs in Central and South America from Costa Rica to Colombia, south to Paraguay and extreme north Argentina. Lives in edges and clearings of forests, plantations and savannas, to 2600 m.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not Listed
Status : The species remains fairly common and is the most widespread oropendola at the moment. Locally persecuted as treated as a crop pest.
Ex-Situ Programs : SSP in America

Observation
Dallas World Aquarium (USA), Tierpark Berlin (Germany), Zoo Antwerpen (Belgium)

 

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