# Altamira Oriole (*Icterus gularis*) The Altamira Oriole is a bright orange and black bird that loves to sing! It builds beautiful hanging nests in trees, making it a special sight to see in nature. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 1 - **Habitat:** Forests ![Altamira Oriole](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Altamira_oriole_%28Icterus_gularis_gigas%29_Copan.jpg&width=800) Photo: Charles J. Sharp, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Altamira_oriole_%28Icterus_gularis_gigas%29_Copan.jpg) ## Appearance The Altamira Oriole is a striking bird with a brilliant orange body, a distinct black bib, and black wings adorned with prominent white wing bars. Its vibrant plumage makes it easily recognizable in its arboreal habitat. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Passeriformes - **Family:** Icteridae - **Genus:** Icterus ## Interesting facts - Male and female Altamira Orioles look almost identical! - Their elaborate hanging nests can be over 60 centimeters long! - These smart birds often nest in thorny trees for extra safety. - They use different calls to warn others about danger. ## Special abilities - **Basket Weaver:** Altamira Orioles can weave intricate, hanging pouch-like nests because they use their strong beaks to intertwine plant fibers, protecting their eggs. - **Sweet Tooth Scout:** Altamira Orioles can feed on flower nectar using their pointed beaks, which helps them gain energy from sugary plant fluids. - **Vibrant Signal:** Altamira Orioles have brilliant orange and black feathers that help them attract mates and signal health to partners. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 23-25 cm - **Wingspan:** 30-35 cm - **Weight:** 0.04-0.05 kg - **Lifespan:** 5-7 years - **Speed:** 45 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 3-5 - **Incubation:** 12-14 days ## Diet & Feeding These colorful birds enjoy a mix of insects, fruits, and nectar, making them important seed dispersers and pest controllers. - **Primary Foods:** insects, spiders, berries, figs, flower nectar - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** Tobacco Hornworm (*Manduca sexta*) — feeds on caterpillars found on leaves and branches. - **Eaten by:** [Cooper's Hawk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cooper-s-hawk) (*Accipiter cooperii*) — is a prey item for agile raptors in its habitat. - **Pollinates:** Century Plant (*Agave americana*) — drinks nectar from its flowers, helping to spread pollen. - **Shelter:** Sugarberry (*Celtis laevigata*) — often builds its elaborate hanging nests in the sturdy branches. ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Singing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/singing): Singing animals produce complex vocalizations, often for purposes of attracting mates, defending territory, or communicating within their species. - [Arboreal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/arboreal): Arboreal animals live primarily in trees, utilizing them for shelter, food, and protection from predators. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Enjoy watching birds from a distance and don't disturb their nests. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Altamira Oriole? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Altamira Oriole? 23-25 cm ### What is Altamira Oriole's wingspan? 30-35 cm ### How much does Altamira Oriole weigh? 0.04-0.05 kg ### How long does Altamira Oriole live? 5-7 years ### How fast can Altamira Oriole move? 45 km/h ### What does Altamira Oriole eat? These colorful birds enjoy a mix of insects, fruits, and nectar, making them important seed dispersers and pest controllers. ### Where is Altamira Oriole usually found? Forests ## Where to spot - [Fort Brown](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/fort-brown) — US · Historic Site - [National Butterfly Center](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/national-butterfly-center) — Texas, US · Nature Reserve ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Altamira Oriole: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/altamira-oriole)