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Oriolidae

(Family)

Overview

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The orioles are a family of Old World passerine birds.

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The family Oriolidae comprises the figbirds in the genus Sphecotheres, and the Old World orioles in the genus Oriolus.[1] Several other genera have been proposed to split up the genus Oriolus. For example, the African black-headed species are sometimes placed in the genus Baruffius. In 2011 the genus Turnagra which contained two extinct species from New Zealand, the piopio, were found to be placed within this family.[2][3] The family is not related to the New World orioles, which are icterids, family Icteridae.

Distribution and habitat

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The family is distributed across Africa, Europe, Asia, and Australia. The few temperate nesting species are migratory, and some tropical species also show seasonal movements.

Orioles are arboreal and tend to feed in the canopy.[1] Many species are able to survive in open forests and woodlands, although a few are restricted to closed forest. They are opportunistic omnivores, with the main components of their diet being fruit, berries, and arthropods.

Description and behaviour

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The orioles and figbirds are medium sized passerines, around 20?30 cm in length, with the females only slightly smaller than the males.[1] The beak is slightly curved and hooked, and, except in the figbirds, as long again as the head. The plumage of most species is bright and showy, although the females often have duller plumage than the males do. The plumage of many Australasian or ioles mimics that of friarbirds (a genus of large honeyeaters), probably to reduce aggression against the smaller orioles.[4]

Orioles are monogamous, breeding in territorial pairs (although the Australasian Figbird, and possibly also the other figbirds, breed in loose colonies).[1] Nesting sites may be chosen near aggressive species such as drongos, shrikes or friarbirds, which confer a degree of protection. The nest is a deep woven cup suspended like a hammock from a branch. They usually lay two or three eggs, but as many as six have been recorded.

Gallery

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e-HBW-0">[1] The beak is slightly curved and hooked, and, except in the figbirds, as long again as the head. The plumage of most species is bright and showy, although the females often have duller plumage than the males do. The plumage of many Australasian orioles mimics that of friarbirds (a genus of large honeyeaters), probably to reduce aggression against the smaller orioles.[4]

Orioles are monogamous, breeding in territorial pairs (although the Australasian Figbird, and possibly also the other figbirds, breed in loose colonies).[1] Nesting sites may be chosen near aggressive species such as drongos, shrikes or friarbirds, which confer a degree of protection. The nest is a deep woven cup suspended like a hammock from a branch. They usually lay two or three eggs, but as many as six have been recorded.

Gallery

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d Walther, B; Jones, P (2008), "Family Oriolidae (Orioles and Figbirds)]", in Josep, del Hoyo; Andrew, Elliott; David, Christie, Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 13, Penduline-tits to Shrikes, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 692?713, ISBN 978-84-96553-45-3 
  2. ^ Johansson, Ulf; Eric Pasquet; Martin Irestedt (2011). "The New Zealand Thrush: An Extinct Oriole". PloS One 6 (9). doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0024317. http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0024317. 
  3. ^ Zuccon, D. & Ericson, P. G. (2012) Molecular and morphological evidences place the extinct New Zealand endemic Turnagra capensis in the Oriolidae. Mol Phylogenet Evol. 62(1):414-26.
  4. ^ Diamond J (1982) "Mimicry of friarbirds by orioles" The Auk 99(2): 187-196

External links

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Taxonomy

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The Family Oriolidae is a member of the Superfamily Corvoidea. Here is the complete "parentage" of Oriolidae:

The Family Oriolidae is further organized into finer groupings including:

Genera

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Leptopteryx

[more]

Mimeta

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Oriolus

Orioles are colorful Old World passerine birds in the genus Oriolus, the namesake of the family Oriolidae. They are not related to the New World orioles, which are icterids (family Icteridae) and, belonging to the superfamily Passeroidea songbirds, are quite unrelated to the true orioles. [more]

Sphecotheres

The figbirds are a genus (Sphecotheres) of orioles found in wooded habitats in Australia, Papua New Guinea and the Lesser Sundas. The three species have been considered conspecific, but today all major authorities consider them as separate species. The split is primarily based on differences in measurements and plumage, and on biogeography. Compared to the "typical" orioles of the genus Oriolus, the figbirds are more frugivorous (though they also take some small insects, nectar and seeds) and gregarious, even breeding in small, loose colonies (at least the Australasian Figbird; nesting habits still unknown for the remaining). They are strongly sexually dimorphic, with males having olive-green upperparts, a black head, and (uniquely for the family) distinct bright red facial skin. Females are drab-colored, being dull brownish above, and white below with strong dark streaking. They have greyish facial skin, and a greyish-black bill. [more]

At least 12 species and subspecies belong to the Genus Sphecotheres.

More info about the Genus Sphecotheres may be found here.

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Walther, B; Jones, P (2008), "Family Oriolidae (Orioles and Figbirds)]", in Josep, del Hoyo; Andrew, Elliott; David, Christie, Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 13, Penduline-tits to Shrikes, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 692?713, ISBN 978-84-96553-45-3 
  2. ^ Johansson, Ulf; Eric Pasquet; Martin Irestedt (2011). "The New Zealand Thrush: An Extinct Oriole". PloS One 6 (9). doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0024317. http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0024317. 
  3. ^ Zuccon, D. & Ericson, P. G. (2012) Molecular and morphological evidences place the extinct New Zealand endemic Turnagra capensis in the Oriolidae. Mol Phylogenet Evol. 62(1):414-26.
  4. ^ Diamond J (1982) "Mimicry of friarbirds by orioles" The Auk 99(2): 187-196

Sources

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Last Revised: August 24, 2012
2012/08/24 13:38:39