1 / 3
Eurasian Golden Oriole (Oriolus oriolus) — photo 1 of 3
© Michel Idre from Plaisance du Touch, France CC BY 2.0

Orioles · Perching birds

Eurasian Golden Oriole

Oriolus oriolus

Summer visitor

Voice

Song

Mats Havskogen

0:39

Song

Pascal Christe

0:27

Song

Sonothèque ADVL

1:05

How to recognize it

  • Slightly larger than a starling, 24–25 cm

  • Male: yellow body, black wings and tail

  • Female: greener above, paler below, with dark streaks

  • Fast, direct flight with shallow dips; usually hidden in treetops

About the species

The Eurasian Golden Oriole stands out with its warm yellow body and black wings in the male. On a walk, though, it is often easier to hear than to see, because it stays tucked high in leafy crowns and keeps out of sight.

It is active and restless, moving quickly from branch to branch, often with almost no sound. Its voice can be harsh, but it also gives a clear, fluting whistle that stays in your head after you hear it once.

It favors light broadleaf woods, groves, gardens, and parks with large trees. It feeds on insects, especially caterpillars, and also on berries and fruit, and it is a summer visitor that leaves for winter in Africa.

You might also see

Sources