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BLACK-COWLED ORIOLE  Icterus prosthemelas 18.5–21cm. Attractive black-

and-yellow oriole of humid forest edge, plantations, taller second growth, semi-

open areas with hedgerows, forest patches. Typically in pairs, feeding at mid–

upper levels in flowering and fruiting trees, often perching atop leafy trees in

early morning; regularly visits feeders. Sexes similar, but female has little or no

rusty border to black chest bib. Imm. plumage variable (some much like adult),

but no similar orioles in Costa Rica; note extensive black mask, variable black

mottling on back. SOUNDS: Not a particularly vocal species. Plaintive nasal

tchieh and downslurred nasal nyeh; both may be repeated steadily. Song a

pleasant, slightly jerky rich warble, 1–2 secs. STATUS: Fairly common on Caribbean slope to 1200m,

occasionally higher; scarce to locally uncommon but increasing on Pacific slope, since 2000s. (Mexico to

w. Panama.)

YELLOW-TAILED ORIOLE  Icterus mesomelas 20.5–23.5cm. Rare. Fairly large,

handsome black-and-yellow oriole of humid lowland second-growth thickets

and forest edge, canebrakes, often along rivers and in damp areas. Usually in

pairs or small groups, often rather skulking at low to mid-levels in tangles; at

times in more open flowering trees and shrubs. Adult (sexes alike) stunning and

flashy; imm. duller but also distinctive, note stout, slightly decurved bill. Yellow

tail sides often striking as birds dive into cover. SOUNDS: Call a rich twangy cheuk

and downslurred cheu, at times repeated steadily. Song a varied, rhythmic to

slightly rollicking (usually 4–20×) repetition of rich, 2–7-note whistled phrases,

such as tch wee-choo weeep, tch wee-choo weeep...; sometimes in duet and may recall a wren. STATUS: Scarce

and local on Caribbean slope, to 300m; formerly common and widespread, but decimated by capture for

cagebird trade (Stiles & Skutch 1989). (Mexico to nw. Peru.)

*SCARLET-RUMPED CACIQUE  Cacicus microrhynchus 20–24cm, male>​

female. Humid forest, locally in adjacent tree-scattered pastureland with forest

patches. Mainly at mid–upper levels where often hidden in leafy foliage; heard

more often than seen, but visits feeders in some places. Roams widely in pairs

or small, often noisy groups in search of fruiting trees; at times associates with

other canopy species such as oropendolas, Purple-throated Fruitcrows, White-

fronted Nunbirds. Pendulous woven nest resembles oropendola’s but isolated,

not colonial. Distinctive, but beware imm. Yellow-billed Cacique has pale

grayish eyes. Note Scarlet-rumped’s habits, ivory bill, staring blue eyes; red

rump often difficult to see when overhead. Juv. has rusty-brown rump, duller eyes, soon like adult.

SOUNDS: Varied; often loud and strident. Calls include loud rich chrÉEu and chírriHEU, a downslurred

squealing HEUW, usually in short series, at times repeated rapidly. Song appears to be varied, fairly rapid

series of ringing to slightly screaming and piercing whistles and screeches, often alternated and combined.

STATUS: Fairly common on both slopes, to 1200m. (Honduras to Panama.)