oriole

Oriole is the common name for two distinct groups of passerine birds that share bright plumage and similar ecological roles but are not closely related. The Old World orioles belong to the family Oriolidae and occur across Europe, Africa, Asia, and parts of Australasia. The New World orioles belong to the family Icteridae and occur throughout North and South America. The two groups converged on a similar orange- or yellow-bodied appearance, with black markings in most species.

Old World orioles are often olive-yellow to orange with contrasting black markings; sizes vary by species. New World orioles are typically medium-sized with bright orange or yellow bodies and black wings or caps; males tend to be more vividly colored, with females duller.

Oriole species inhabit forests, woodlands, scrub, orchards, and gardens. They are usually diurnal and vocal; many are insectivorous and frugivorous, feeding on fruit, nectar, and caterpillars. They construct distinctive hanging nest sacs from plant fibers and spiderwebs, often in forked branches.

Breeding seasons produce clutches of several eggs, incubated by both parents in many species. Migration patterns vary by lineage and geography: many North American orioles breed in temperate regions and winter in the tropics, while Old World orioles may be resident or migratory depending on the species and location.

Most species are of least concern regarding conservation, though some have restricted ranges or face habitat loss. Oriole plumage and nesting behavior are among their most notable features, and they are often observed in gardens and woodlands where the birds participate in insect control and seed dispersal.