| Black-headed Oriole | |
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Oriolidae |
| Genus: | Oriolus |
| Species: | O. larvatus |
| Binomial name | |
| Oriolus larvatus (Lichtenstein, 1823) |
|
The Black-headed Oriole (Oriolus larvatus) is an African passerine. It has a very striking appearance with a bright yellow body, contrasting black head and flesh-coloured beak.
It breeds in much of sub-Saharan Africa from Sudan and Ethiopia in the north to South Africa in the south.
It inhabits dry tropical forests, especially acacia and broad-leaved woodlands, and dense shrubland areas, where it is more often heard than seen despite the brightness of its plumage.
The voice is a liquid-sounding warble, accompanied by imitations and whistles.
It forages in the canopy, feeding on small fruit as well as large insects. The young are fed mostly with caterpillars.
