Psarocolius montezuma

(Lesson, 1830)

Vernacular names
English : Montezuma oropendola
French : Cassique de Montezuma

Classification
Class : Aves
Order : Passeriformes
Family : Icteridae
Notes : No subspecies known

Identification
Adults can grow to 47.5 cm for a weight of 501 g. Largest oropendola species, males bigger than females. White skin and pink stripe on face, dark blue and orange long bill. Black head, rest of plumage chestnut-brown with yellow tail tips.

Range and habitat
The species occurs in Central America from south-eastern Mexico (San Luis Potosi) to central Panama. Lives in edges and clearings of humid forests, plantations, up to 1600 m.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not Listed
Status : The species occurs in many protected areas and remains locally common. It may benefit from small scale deforestation.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation
Dallas World Aquarium (USA), Weltvogelpark Walsrode (Germany)

 

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