Olive-backed Oriole
Oriolus sagittatus
NativeStatus
CommonRarity
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Species Description
The Olive-backed Oriole is a medium-sized songbird found across coastal and inland regions of northern and eastern Australia, as well as parts of New Guinea. With its olive-green head and back, grey wings and tail, and cream underparts streaked with dark markings, this oriole is easily recognised by its bright red eye and pinkish-red bill. It is the most widespread oriole species in Australia and is well known for its clear, melodious calls.
Fun Facts
Olive-backed Orioles are skilled mimics, often incorporating the calls of other birds and even some man-made sounds into their rich, varied songs.
1. Bright red eye and pinkish-red bill, distinguishing it from the similar Figbird (which has a blackish bill).
2. Olive-green upperparts with creamy underparts heavily streaked with dark markings.
3. Clear, tuneful “orri-orri-orriole” call, a melodious whistling that carries through the forest
Olive-backed Orioles are found from the Kimberley region in Western Australia, across northern Australia, and down the east coast to Adelaide in South Australia. They inhabit forests, woodlands, rainforest edges, and well-treed urban areas such as parks and golf courses. In the south, they are mainly summer visitors, while northern populations are mostly resident year-round. During autumn and winter, they may move nomadically in small groups following fruiting trees. They typically forage in the canopy, so scan upper branches of fruiting trees and listen for their distinctive calls.
Physical Attributes
Height
27 cm
Size Relative to Other Birds60%
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