Eurasian golden oriole (Oriolus oriolus)

Description

Eurasian golden oriole fact file

• Description
• Biology
• Range
• Habitat
• Status
• Threats
• Conservation
• Find out more
• Glossary
• References
• Print factsheet

Eurasian golden oriole description

With its bright yellow plumage, the Eurasian golden oriole (Oriolus oriolus) is an incredibly striking bird ⁽³⁾. On the male Eurasian golden oriole, this beautiful golden colour contrasts starkly with the largely black wings and tail, and the black streak that extends through each red eye ^{(2) (4)}. The female and the juvenile Eurasian golden oriole are somewhat duller than the male, with yellowish-green upperparts, dark olive-brown wings and brown-streaked underparts ^{(4) (5) (6)}. The female can also be distinguished from the male by its slightly smaller size ⁽²⁾.

The Eurasian golden oriole’s sharp, stout bill is highly effective at plucking insects or berries from vegetation, as well as tearing flesh off small vertebrate prey. The positioning of its toes, with one pointing backward and three pointing forward, allows it to grip branches with ease ⁽⁶⁾.

Despite its bright plumage, the Eurasian golden oriole is often surprisingly well-hidden amongst dense foliage, but its distinctive, flute-like, whistling song often reveals its location ⁽⁶⁾. The Eurasian golden oriole also has a harsh ‘chr-r-r’ alarm call ⁽⁵⁾.

Also known as

European golden oriole, golden oriole.

French

Loriot d'Europe.

Size

Length: 20 - 30 cm ⁽²⁾

Wingspan: 46 cm ⁽³⁾

Weight

68 g ⁽³⁾

Eurasian golden oriole biology

The Eurasian golden oriole commences breeding in April, when it arrives at its breeding grounds. The female constructs an impressive hammock-like nest, which is woven from grasses, moss and lichens, and suspended from a fork in a tree ⁽⁶⁾. Into this deep nest the female lays three to four white eggs, speckled with black spots. The eggs are incubated for 14 to 15 days, by both adults. The chicks are fed insects by the male and female until they are able to fly at around 14 days of age ⁽⁶⁾.

The diet of the Eurasian golden oriole comprises mainly insects. It prefers caterpillars, but will also feed on small vertebrates, such as mice ⁽⁶⁾. Eurasian golden oriole chicks are fed a large number of bumblebees ⁽⁷⁾. In autumn, towards the end of the breeding season, a greater proportion of calorie-rich fruits and berries are eaten, which help the Eurasian golden oriole to build fat reserves in preparation for its long migration south ⁽⁶⁾.

In July, the Eurasian golden oriole starts its migration to the warmer climes of Africa ⁽⁶⁾. This species can live for up to ten years ⁽³⁾.

Eurasian golden oriole range

The Eurasian golden oriole breeds throughout Europe and parts of Asia. It migrates to parts of central Africa for winter, travelling as far south as Kenya and Tanzania ⁽⁶⁾.

Eurasian golden oriole habitat

During the breeding season, the Eurasian golden oriole inhabits deciduous forest and large parks, where dense foliage provides protection and there is an abundance of food for the adults and chicks ⁽⁶⁾. In the UK, the Eurasian golden oriole nests almost solely in black poplar trees (Populus nigra) ⁽⁷⁾. In its winter African range, the Eurasian golden oriole occurs in tall woodland, savanna and plantations ⁽⁸⁾.

Eurasian golden oriole status

The Eurasian golden oriole is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List ⁽¹⁾.

Eurasian golden oriole threats

Although the common and widespread Eurasian golden oriole is not currently considered to be an endangered species ⁽⁹⁾, it is classified in the ‘Red’ category of conservation importance in the UK ⁽³⁾, meaning urgent conservation action is required ⁽¹⁰⁾. In recent decades, the Eurasian golden oriole bred primarily in poplar plantations in East Anglia in the UK, but as the market for this timber declined, many of the larger poplar plantations were replanted. The removal of this suitable nesting habitat is likely to be the reason behind the Eurasian golden oriole’s decline in the UK ⁽¹¹⁾.

Eurasian golden oriole conservation

As the global population of the Eurasian golden oriole appears to be stable ⁽⁹⁾, there are currently no specific conservation measures in place. In the UK, where the number of breeding orioles has declined ⁽¹¹⁾, it has been recommended that conservation efforts should focus on creating more areas of poplar woodland, in which this eye-catching bird can nest ⁽⁷⁾.

View information on this species at the UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre.

Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi is a principal sponsor of ARKive. EAD is working to protect and conserve the environment as well as promoting sustainable development in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

Find out more

Find out more about the Eurasian golden oriole:

• BirdLife International -  Eurasian golden oriole:
  http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=5882

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This species information was authored as part of the ARKive and Universities Scheme.

Glossary

Deciduous forest

Forest consisting mainly of deciduous trees, which shed their leaves at the end of the growing season.

Incubated

Kept warm so that development is possible.

Lichen

A composite organism made up of a fungus in a co-operative partnership with an alga. Owing to this partnership, lichens can thrive in harsh environments such as mountaintops and polar regions. Characteristically forms a crustlike or branching growth on rocks or tree trunks.

Vertebrate

An animal with a backbone, including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish.

References

1. IUCN Red List (November, 2010)
   http://www.iucnredlist.org/
2. del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A. and Christie, D. (2008) Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 13: Penduline-tits to Shrikes. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona.
3. Robinson, R.A. (2005) BirdFacts: Profiles of Birds Occurring in Britain and Ireland. BTO Research Report 407, BTO, Thetford. Available at:
   http://blx1.bto.org/birdfacts/results/bob15080.htm
4. Shrestha, T.K. (2001) Birds of Nepal: Field Ecology, Natural History and Conservation. Bimala Shrestha, Kathmandu, Nepal.
5. Peterson, R.T., Mountfort, G. and Hollom, P.A.D. (1993) Collins Field Guide: Birds of Britain and Europe. HarperCollins Publishers Ltd, London.
6. Likoff, L.E. (2007) The Encyclopedia of Birds. International Masters Publishing, New York.
7. Milwright, R.D.P. (1998) Breeding biology of the golden oriole Oriolus oriolus in the fenland basin of eastern Britain. Bird Study, 45(3): 320-330.
8. Sinclair, I., Hockey, P., Hayman, P. and Arlott, N. (2005) The Larger Illustrated Guide to Birds of Southern Africa. Struik Publishers, Cape Town.
9. BirdLife International (November, 2010) 
   http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=5882
10. RSPB (November, 2010)
    http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/status_explained.aspx
11. Holling, M. and the Rare Birds Breeding Panel (2007) Rare breeding birds in the United Kingdom in 2003 and 2004. British Birds, 100: 321-367.