Oct 24, 2018
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Baudo oropendola - Psarocolius cassini
The Baudo oropendola is endemic to northwest Colombia in South America. These oropendola species are considered "Endangered" by the IUCN. These oropendolas are monotypic species.
Appearance, physical description and identification
The Baudo oropendola (Psarocolius cassini) is a large oropendola, male measuring 46 cm and female 40 cm.The Baudo oropendola has black hood and underparts. The back, flanks, rump and closed wings are chestnut. There is a bare pink patch on the cheek. The tail is yellow and has blackish central tail-feathers.
The black, long conical bill is tipped pinkish red. The irises are brownish. The legs and feet are grayish. The call is a series of bubbly, tinkling, rattling notes and nasal "wak" sound.
Origin, geographical range and distribution
The Baudo oropendola is endemic to Colombia in South America. They are known "from the foothills and lowlands around the serranías de los Saltos and de Baudó, Chocó, north-west Colombia" (BirdLife International).There are records of sightings of a nesting colony at the headwaters of the río Acandí in 1991 (Renjifo et al. 2002), two individual birds in north of Ensenada de Utría National Park and a group in the Siviru and Tipicay river basins.
The Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBA) of these Baudo oropendola species in Colombia is Parque Nacional Natural Ensenada de Utría.
Ecosystem and habitat
The Baudo oropendola species have high forest dependence. They normally occur in altitudes between 100 to 365 meters.The natural ecosystems and habitats of these species include tropical and subtropical moist lowland forests, secondary growths, river valleys and forest edge along sandy-soiled coastal plain.
Diet and feeding behavior
The diet of the Baudo oropendola species consists mainly of fruits and insects. They forage for fruits and insects in the canopy in small groups.Reproduction and breeding habits
The breeding season of these Baudo oropendola species is probably during May and June (Jaramillo and Burke 1999). One nesting colony was observed in March 1991.These species are colonial breeders and the nests are suspended from the lateral branches of tall trees and palm trees.
Migration and movement patterns
The Baudo oropendola species are non-migratory resident birds.Post breeding, the juveniles may disperse and establish in new locations within the range. Within their range they may make local movements for feeding and breeding.
Baudo oropendola - Quick Facts
- Scientific name: Psarocolius cassini
- Species author: (Richmond, 1898)
- Synonyms/Protonym:Gymnostinops cassini Richmond, 1898
- Family: Icteridae › Passeriformes › Aves › Chordata › Animalia,
- Vernacular names: English: Baudo oropendola, Chinese: 栗背拟掠鸟, French: Cassique de Cassin, German: Braunmantel-Stirnvogel, Spanish: Cacique de Cassin, Russian: Каштановая оропендола, Japanese: モモグロオオツリスドリ
- Other names: Baudo Oropendola, Chestnut-mantled Oropendola
- Distribution: endemic to Colombia
- Diet and feeding habits: fruits, insects
- IUCN status listing: Endangered (EN)
Conservation and survival
The global population size of the Baudo oropendola (Psarocolius cassini) is estimated to number 1000 and 2500 individual birds. The overall population trend of the species is considered to be decreasing.In most of its range, this species is reported to be rare and localised. The generation length is 4.6 years. Its distribution size is about 4,570 sq.km.
Ecosystem degradation, ecosystem conversion, deforestation, logging operations, road laying across the forests and capture for pet-trade are the main threats that may endanger the survival of the species.
IUCN and CITES status
The Baudo oropendola (Psarocolius cassini) species has approached the thresholds for being Vulnerable under the range size criterion, under the population trend criterion and under the population size criterion.The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) has categorized and evaluated the Baudo oropendola species and has listed it as "Endangered".
The CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) status is ‘Not Evaluated’ for the Baudo oropendola (Psarocolius cassini).
| Taxonomy and scientific classification of Psarocolius cassini | |
|---|---|
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Icteridae |
| Subfamily: | - |
| Genus: | Psarocolius |
| Species: | P. cassini |
| Binomial name: | Psarocolius cassini |
| IUCN status listing: |
 Endangered |
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