Eurasian golden oriole

Description

The golden oriole is one of Europe's most colourful birds, yet surprisingly hard to spot. The male has brilliant golden-yellow plumage, set off by the black of its wings and tail and a pinkish bill. The female is far more discreet, in yellowish-green tones with a whitish, streaked belly. Despite the vivid colours, the male blends well among sunlit leaves.

Habitat and distribution

It is a migrant that spends the summer in Europe and much of western Asia, wintering in central and southern Africa. It frequents bright broadleaf woodland, poplar groves, orchards and tree lines along watercourses, staying almost always hidden high in the canopy.

Behaviour

It spends much of its time among the foliage, where it is betrayed above all by its song: a fluting, melodious and unmistakable whistle, often described as a liquid, golden call. It feeds on insects, caterpillars and, in summer and autumn, on ripe fruit such as cherries and figs. It builds a hammock-shaped nest, slung in the fork of a branch.

Did you know?

Its scientific name comes from the Latin aurum, "gold", for the male's plumage. The song has inspired musicians and poets: the composer Olivier Messiaen dedicated a piece to it in his Catalogue of Birds.

Conservation

It is classed as least concern, but depends on mature woodland and riparian habitats. The loss of these habitats and the use of pesticides, which reduce insects, can threaten local populations.

(Note: the mass value given by Wikidata, 7.3 kg, is clearly wrong: the golden oriole actually weighs about 50–80 grams.)