Kingdom : Animalia Class : Aves Family : Oriolidae Scientific Name : Oriolus Oriolus Colour : Yellow, Black, Green, Brown Skin Type : Feathers Size(H) : 20cm - 24cm (7.8in - 9.4in) Wing Span : 44cm - 47cm (17in - 18.5in) Weight : 15g - 20g (0.5oz - 0.7oz) Top Speed : 42kph (26mph) Life Span : 8 - 12 years Distinctive Features : Yellow Plumage of males and bright red eyes
- Golden Orioles are small birds found in Europe and Asia.
- They are also known as the Eurasian Orioles.
- The male Golden orioles are striking yellow and black in color with black wings.
- The females are slightly greener in color and look a little dull.
- They grow to be around 20-24cm tall and are often mistaken for thrushes or woodpecker, while flying.
- Their eyes are dark red and their beak is thick, curved and pink in color.
- They are summer migrants, migrating to the north in summer and coming back south during winters.
- They inhabit forests, woodlands, parks, orchards and gardens.
- They spend most of their time in tree canopies and get wonderfully camouflaged there.
- They are quite difficult to spot as they are shy and camouflage themselves very well.
- That said, there presence can be detected through the distinct, fluty song which can be heard from long.
- The otherwise solitary birds can be seen migrating in large flocks at night.
- They breed during the warm summer months and the female golden oriole lays around 3-6 eggs.
- The eggs hatch after 15-18 days of incubation and the chicks are looked after by their parents till they fledge in 20 days.
- They are omnivores feeding on insects, fruits and seeds.
- Their natural predators are large birds like crow and birds of prey like the eagles, hawks and raptors.
- Habitat loss through deforestation is the Golden Oriole’s biggest threat.