Venezuelan Troupial - Iceterus icterus

Length 9.0-9.2 in (22.9-23.5 cm)
Weight M: 2.4 oz (67.3 g), F: 2.1 oz (58.5 g)
Clutch Size 3
Chicks at birth Altricial
IUCN Conservation Status Least Concern
Continents:SA
     

The Venezuelan Troupial is the national bird of Venezuela and is considered a 'New World Oriole'. It is found in parts of South America and the Caribbean. There are three subspecies.

Venezuelan Troupials are orange with a black head which extends to the breast ending in a saw-toothed pattern, black shoulders, black tail and a large bulky black bill. Their wings are also black with a white streak that is visible when their wings are closed. Their eyes are yellow and behind them is a patch of naked blue skin. Both sexes are similar.

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Diet: Their diet consists of insects, fruit, small birds and eggs.

Courtship: No information found.

Nesting: Venezuelan Troupials do not build their own nests but either use a vacant nest or evict the adults of an active nest. If there are eggs or nestlings in the active nest, they will eat them.

Habitat and Range: They are found in Colombia, Venezuela, and the Caribbean islands of Aruba, Curacao, Bonaire and Puerto Rico. They inhabit dry woodland, shrubland, plains and savannas.

Vocalization: They produce a loud clear song.

Plumage/Molt: Probably molt annually.

Migration: Not migratory.

Tongue/feet: Black legs and feet.

Bibliography:

  • http://en.wikipedia.org The Free Encyclopedia, Accessed June, 2013
  • Ridgely, Roberts S. and Tudor, Guy, Field Guide to the Songbirds of South America: The Passerines,University of Texas Press, 2009

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