Forest and Rangeland Birds of the United States

Natural History and Habitat Use

Altamira Oriole -- Icterus gularis


RANGE: Resident from the lower Rio Grande Valley in extreme southern Texas south through Mexico to Central America.

STATUS: Rare.

HABITAT: Inhabits open woodlands, trees along fields and streams, scattered groves in pastures, and hillsides.

NEST: Fastens conspicous pensile pouch nest, 1 to 2 feet long, to the ends of slender, strong, flexible terminal twigs, 12 to 35 feet above the ground. Usually places nest in ebony blackbead, mesquite, or willow.

FOOD: Forages among the leaves of trees for insects and fruits; also eats caterpillars, spiders, small figs, and berries.

REFERENCES: Bent 1958, Oberholser 1974b, Sutton and Pettingill 1943, Terres 1980.


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