This blog is about Orioles, I was fortunate to get all the Orioles: the Golden Oriole (the female too-must say much difficult to spot), Black hooded Oriole and the migrant from Andamans- Black napped Oriole. It is just amazing to get all these birds in one go in almost the same spot in matter of two or three hours. It is no wonder that Thattekad is described as the best place for bird watching by none other than Salim Ali. I though had to muster all my patience standing frozen partially hidden under trees for about three hours. And yes i was the only one in that jungle atleast 2-3 km around, it was a situation wherein every prospect pleased. Orioles are fun to watch, they have amazing zest for life. Chasing each other from tree to tree, flashes of bright yellow across the green foliage 
that are treat to eyes. All these can vanish in a jiffy if they spot you; you see Orioles are extremely shy but vocal birds.Golden Orioles are rich golden yellow except a broad line along the eye, lots of black on the wings and tail. Females though have entirely different color plumage that is yellowish green and brown wings. Both have pink colored bills. Golden Orioles are purely arboreal so much so that they don’t even descend to the lower branches and confines themselves to high canopy in thick foliage tree. Golden Orioles migrate from north part of the peninsula in winter and return during summer to northern plains. They are also sometimes referred to as mango bird since they are often found foraging mango trees coinciding ripening of mangoes. It is very difficult to locate them as they choose boughs with thickest foliages so one gets to hear its plaintive calls than actually seeing it.
Black hooded Oriole as the name suggests has black head and throat, they are found in well wooded regions. Like golden orioles they too are arboreal but do descend ground to catch insects. Generally found alone or in pairs.
Black napped Orioles have a broad black stripe that go across its eyes to join the nape. They are resident birds of Andaman and Nicobar Islands that migrate to Western Ghats during winter. Orioles feed on insects and fruits. The nests of Orioles are something to be proud of. A slender beautifully woven cup suspended on the fork from the twigs.
The picture below includes all these species. The species of Orioles found in American continent includes Audubon’s oriole that is black headed with yellow body. The painting of Oriole is by Audubon. Incidentally this year is 125th birth anniversary of that great man.
