A bright yellow and black oriole of southwestern deserts.
§ Quick facts
§ Encyclopedia
The Scott's oriole is a medium-sized icterid. The male of this species is bright yellow and black; the female is similar, but with more muted colors.
Source: Wikipedia — Scott's oriole Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
§ Identification
Field marks. Striking oriole; male lemon-yellow and black with a black hood, back, and breast and a yellow belly; female grayish-olive with dusky streaks on the back.
Similar species. Other orioles are orange; the male Scott's bright yellow-and-black plumage is distinctive, as is its yucca habitat.
Voice. A rich, fluty, melodious warble suggesting a Western Meadowlark; harsh 'chuck' call.
§ Diet & behavior
Diet. Insects, seeds, fruits depending on species.
Behavior. An oriole of arid yucca grasslands, pinyon-juniper, and desert mountains; closely associated with yuccas, in which it nests and forages. Sings a rich, far-carrying song.
§ Range
Southwestern US
§ Habitat
Desert habitats with yuccas
§ Threats
Habitat loss.
§ Conservation status
According to the IUCN Red List, the scott's oriole is currently classified as Least Concern.
§ What helps
Support southwestern desert conservation.
§ Further reading
- Wikipedia — Scott's oriole
- www.allaboutbirds.org — authoritative profile of Icterus parisorum
- IUCN Red List — search for Icterus parisorum
- GBIF occurrence records
- Encyclopedia of Life — Icterus parisorum
§ Sources cited
- Cornell Lab of Ornithology — All About Birds
- National Audubon Society
- iNaturalist
- IUCN Red List
