Western Oriole (Oriolus brachyrynchus)
Illustration redrawn by AI from a real photograph

Western Oriole

Oriolus brachyrynchus Swainson, 1837

21 cmLength49 gWeight

The western oriole (Oriolus brachyrynchus), or western black-headed oriole, is a species of bird in the family Oriolidae that is native to Africa.

Busiest months: January, July and November · Most records: Uganda, Ghana, Kenya

Least Concern

Where and when it's recorded

Busiest months: January, July and November · Most records: Uganda, Ghana, Kenya

Western Oriole has been recorded at 99 of the 8,276 birding hotspots we track, in 14 countries and regions.

Records by month Northern Hemisphere

Where it's recorded most

  1. Budongo Forest Reserve – Royal MileUganda507 records
  2. Kibale NPUganda396 records
  3. Ankasa NPGhana344 records
More places
  1. Kakamega Forest NRKenya233 records
  2. Atewa Range – upland forest & ridgeGhana212 records
  3. Bosque Científica – Selva PrimariaEquatorial Guinea181 records
  4. Kakamega Forest NR – Rondo Retreat CentreKenya173 records
  5. Mabira ForestUganda164 records
  6. Semuliki NPUganda156 records
  7. Bobiri Butterfly SanctuaryGhana135 records

Countries and regions with the most records

UgandaGhanaKenyaEquatorial GuineaGabonSierra LeoneCameroonCôte d’Ivoire

eBird records via GBIF up to 2024-12-31. A record means someone listed it; more records partly mean more birders, not more birds.

About

The western oriole (Oriolus brachyrynchus), or western black-headed oriole, is a species of bird in the family Oriolidae that is native to Africa. The adult upperparts are yellow-olive, and the underparts are yellow in colour. It is rated as a species of least concern on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Endangered Species.

Excerpt from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0 · authors · Read more on Wikipedia

Questions

How big is the Western Oriole?

The Western Oriole is about 21 cm long and weighs around 49 g.

Where does the Western Oriole live?

Its breeding range: Africa: western, central. It is most often recorded in Uganda, Ghana and Kenya.

When is the best time to see the Western Oriole?

At the hotspots we track, it is recorded most in January, July and November (Northern Hemisphere).

Is the Western Oriole endangered?

The IUCN Red List classifies the Western Oriole as Least Concern.

What does the Western Oriole eat?

Main food: Insects & other invertebrates.

What family is the Western Oriole in?

It belongs to the family Figbirds, Old World Orioles, Piopios (Oriolidae), order Passerines (Passeriformes).

At a glance

Length
21 cm
Weight
49 g
Habitat
Forest
Diet
Insects & other invertebrates
Lifestyle
Perches in trees
Migration
Resident (barely migrates)
Conservation
Least Concern
More measurements
Wing
114 mm
Tail
83 mm
Bill
24 mm
Tarsus
22 mm

Averages from the AVONET dataset; length from field guides where available.

Range

Africa: western, central

Breeding range, IOC World Bird List 15.2

Classification

Order
Passerines Passeriformes
Genus
Oriolus

Other birds in the genus Oriolus

Isabela OrioleIsabela OrioleOriolus isabellaeGrey-collared OrioleGrey-collared OrioleOriolus forsteniBlack-eared OrioleBlack-eared OrioleOriolus bouroensisDusky-brown OrioleDusky-brown OrioleOriolus phaeochromusOlive-backed OrioleOlive-backed OrioleOriolus sagittatusTimor OrioleTimor OrioleOriolus melanotisWetar OrioleWetar OrioleOriolus finschiTanimbar OrioleTanimbar OrioleOriolus decipiensBrown OrioleBrown OrioleOriolus szalayiGreen OrioleGreen OrioleOriolus flavocinctusJavan OrioleJavan OrioleOriolus cruentusBlack-and-crimson OrioleBlack-and-crimson OrioleOriolus consanguineus
Western Oriole

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Free to use with credit: “Illustration: Bird Album (birdalbum.com)”. Drawn by AI from a reference photo by mlanguy. ↗

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