Spot-breasted Oriole
The Spot-breasted Oriole is a medium-sized songbird native to Central America from Mexico to Costa Rica and introduced to southern Florida, characterized by its bright orange plumage with bold black spots on the breast and white wing bars, often seen foraging for nectar, fruits, and insects in gardens, woodlands, and forest edges.
Icterus pectoralis
Scientific Name
Icteridae (Troupials and Allies)
Family
Passeriformes
Order
I. p. pectoralis
Subspecies. From Mexico to Nicaragua
I. p. espinachi
Subspecies. Pacific Costa Rica and western Panama
I. p. guttulatus
Subspecies. Caribbean Costa Rica
Range and Habitat of Spot-breasted Oriole
Geographic Range
The Spot-breasted Oriole ranges from southwestern Mexico (Guerrero, Oaxaca) through Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, to western Panama. It has also been introduced to southern Florida, USA.
Migratory Patterns
This is primarily a non-migratory resident species. However, some seasonal movements occur in response to fruit availability, and there is evidence of post-breeding dispersal to higher elevations.
Preferred Habitat
The Spot-breasted Oriole inhabits dry forests and forest edges, semi-open areas with scattered trees, gardens and urban parks, agricultural areas with shade trees, gallery forests in dry regions, and coffee plantations with shade trees. It avoids dense humid forests and shows preference for human-modified landscapes.
Altitude Range
This is primarily a lowland to middle elevation species. In Costa Rica, it occurs from sea level to 2,000 m, most commonly below 1,500 m. The species occasionally wanders to 2,400 m in the Central Valley.
Costa Rica Habitat
In Costa Rica, the species has a disjunct distribution. The Pacific slope population (espinachi) occurs from Guanacaste south through the Central Valley to the Térraba region, including all of Guanacaste province, western Alajuela, western San José, and northern Puntarenas. The Caribbean population (guttulatus) is restricted to the Reventazón Valley and Turrialba area in Cartago and western Limón provinces.
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Conservation Status
Population Status
Costa Rican populations appear healthy, particularly on the Pacific slope. Density reaches 5-10 pairs per km² in optimal habitat.
While generally adaptable, the species faces some threats including pesticide use in agricultural areas affecting insect prey.
Conservation efforts
The Spot-breasted Oriole is protected under Costa Rican wildlife laws.
Primary Threats
While generally adaptable, the species faces some threats including pesticide use in agricultural areas affecting insect prey.
Spot-breasted Oriole Identification
How to Identify the Species
Rarity Level:
CommonBest Viewing Times:
Early Morning (Dawn - 8 AM)
Size
The Spot-breasted Oriole measures 21-24 cm in total length. Males weigh 48-56 g while females weigh 42-50 g. The wingspan ranges from 30-34 cm.
Plumage
Adults display brilliant orange to orange-yellow coloration on the head, neck, breast, and belly. The back is black with orange shoulder patches (epaulets). Wings are black with a prominent white wing bar and white edging on flight feathers. The tail is entirely black.
Distinctive Features
The species has a long, pointed, slightly decurved black bill measuring 22-26 mm with a blue-gray base to the lower mandible. The distinctive feature is black spotting on the upper breast and sides of the throat, varying in extent between individuals and subspecies.
Sexual Dimorphism
Sexual dimorphism is subtle. Males average slightly larger and show more intense orange coloration with more extensive black spotting. Females tend toward yellow-orange with reduced spotting, though overlap exists.
Diet and Feeding Behavior
Primary Diet
- The Spot-breasted Oriole has an omnivorous diet consisting of nectar from flowering trees such as Erythrina, Inga, and Gliricidia, various fruits including figs, papayas, and bananas, insects such as caterpillars, beetles, and grasshoppers, spiders and their egg sacs, and cultivated fruits in gardens.
Foraging Techniques
- This oriole employs diverse foraging strategies. It probes flowers with its long bill for nectar, showing preference for red and orange tubular flowers.
Feeding Times
- Peak foraging occurs during early morning from 6:00-9:00 and late afternoon from 15:00-18:00. The species feeds intermittently throughout the day when fruits are abundant and increases feeding frequency during breeding season to provision young.
Behavior Patterns
Spot-breasted Oriole
Social Structure
These orioles are typically seen in pairs or family groups during breeding season. Small flocks of 5-10 individuals form during non-breeding season, often at fruiting trees. The species readily joins mixed-species foraging flocks with other orioles, tanagers, and honeycreepers. Strong pair bonds are maintained year-round in resident populations.
Song and Vocalization
Males produce a rich, melodious song consisting of clear whistles, warbles, and fluid notes lasting 3-5 seconds. The song often includes mimicry of other bird species. Common calls include a sharp “wheep” or “wheet” contact call, a harsh “chack” or “chuck” alarm call, and a rattling “chrrrr” when agitated.
Courtship and Mating Ritual
Courtship involves males performing song flights with slow, exaggerated wingbeats. Males display orange plumage while bowing and spreading wings to females. Courtship feeding strengthens pair bonds throughout breeding season. Pairs perform duets with synchronized calling.
Territoriality
Pairs defend territories of 1-3 hectares during breeding season. Males sing from prominent perches to advertise territory boundaries.
Birdwatching Tips
Best Locations for Spotting Spot-breasted Oriole
Prime locations include gardens and parks in the Central Valley (San José, Heredia, Alajuela), Guanacaste dry forest edges and towns, Hotel Bougainvillea grounds near San José, La Ensenada Wildlife Refuge, Carara National Park entrance area, Palo Verde National Park surroundings, University of Costa Rica campus, residential areas in Santa Ana and Escazú, Turrialba Valley (for Caribbean subspecies), and various lodges with flowering gardens throughout the Pacific slope.
Best Time of the Year
Best viewing occurs from January to May during breeding season when males sing frequently. Early morning from 6:00-9:00 offers peak vocal activity.
Common Behavior
Listen for rich, melodious songs from tall trees in early morning. Look for orange and black birds at flowering trees, especially Erythrina. Check fruiting figs and other trees where multiple birds may gather. Watch for hanging nests at tips of drooping branches.
Recommended Gear
Essential equipment includes 8×42 binoculars adequate for most observations, a camera with 300-400mm lens for photography.
Breeding and Nesting Behavior
Breeding Season
Breeding occurs primarily during the dry season and early wet season. In Costa Rica, nesting spans from January to June, with peak activity March-May on the Pacific slope, slightly later (April-June) on the Caribbean slope.
Nesting Sites
The female constructs a distinctive hanging pouch nest measuring 30-45 cm long. The nest is woven from plant fibers, grasses, and palm fronds, attached to the tip of a drooping branch 3-15 meters high.
Clutch Size
3-5 eggs, typically 4
Incubation Period
12-14 days
Parental Care
The female alone incubates while the male guards territory and brings food. Both parents feed nestlings with insects and fruit. Young fledge at 14-16 days but return to the nest for several nights. Post-fledging care continues for 3-4 weeks as young learn foraging skills.
Did You Know?
Interesting Behaviors
Males sometimes build practice or dummy nests that are never used for breeding. The species has been observed using spider silk to strengthen nest attachments. Some individuals learn to open sugar packets at outdoor restaurants.
Cultural Significance
The common name “chorcha” is onomatopoetic, mimicking the bird’s call. In Costa Rican folklore, orioles are considered harbingers of the dry season. The species appears in pre-Columbian art from Guanacaste province. Indigenous peoples traditionally used oriole feathers in ceremonial dress.
Surprising Traits
Individual males can learn and incorporate up to 20 different species’ calls into their songs. The hanging nest can withstand winds up to 80 km/hour without damage.
How do I identify this bird?
Look for a medium-sized, brilliant orange bird with black back, wings, and tail. The diagnostic feature is black spotting on the breast – unique among Costa Rican orioles. The long, pointed bill and white wing bar are also distinctive. Males are more intensely colored than females.
Where is the best place to see it in Costa Rica?
Gardens and parks in the Central Valley around San José offer easy viewing. Any Pacific slope location with flowering trees and forest edges is promising. Hotel Bougainvillea near San José is particularly reliable. The species is common and approachable in urban and suburban settings.
Is it endangered?
No, the Spot-breasted Oriole is listed as Least Concern with stable to increasing populations. It has adapted remarkably well to human-modified landscapes and is actually more common now than historically due to creation of semi-open habitats. The species thrives in gardens and agricultural areas.