Sunday, August 5, 2012

Golden Oriole


Animals Unique | Golden Oriole |
Golden Oriole Classification and Evolution
The Golden Oriole (also known as the Eurasian Oriole), is a small species of Bird found throughout Europe and western Asia.  
 
The Golden Oriole's name is thought to have arisen during the 18th century after the classical Latin word meaning gold. Although almost indistinguishable in appearance, some believe That the Golden Orioles found in Europe, are actually a separate sub-species to Those found in Asia. They are also known to be the only member of the Oriole family That breeds in the more temperate regions of the northern hemisphere.

Golden Oriole Anatomy and Appearance
The male Golden Oriole Bird is an incredibly colored, with striking yellow and jet black plumage, black wings and fully. As with many other Birds, the female of the species is more dull-looking being slightly Greener in color. Both however, are hard to spot in the canopy as They are perfectly camouflaged amongst the leaves. Golden Orioles growing niche to be Between 20-24 cm in height and are Often mistaken for green woodpeckers Thrushes and even when in flight. They have dark red eyes, and a fairly thick, pink beak is curved slightly downwards That at the end.

 
Golden Oriole Distribution and Habitat
The Golden Oriole is predominantly found throughout Europe and western Asia but also in parts of Africa. The Golden Oriole is a summer migrant That meaning it migrates north for the cooler summer climates, and flies back south to the Tropics when the winter begins to emerge. The Golden Oriole is nearly always found in well-timbered forests and woodland, along with parks, orchards and gardens. They spend the majority of Their time high in the tree canopy where Their distinctive plumage helps them to REMAIN hidden from lurking predators.

Golden Oriole Behaviour and Lifestyle
Due to it's excellent camouflage amongst the leaves, and it's shy nature, the Golden Oriole Bird is an almost impossible to spot. However, it is it's unmistakable song That alerts all around to it's presence, the which is said to sound very fluty and can be heard over considerable distances. Their basic calls however are Often compared to the screech of a Jay, but both are used to Communicate with other Golden Orioles inhabiting the surrounding forest. The Golden Oriole is a migratory and Bird Generally quite solitary, but can be seen migrating, Often under the cover of night, in large flocks.

 
Golden Oriole Reproduction and Life Cycles
The Golden Oriole breeds in the more northern temperate regions during the summer months, where courtship displays involve them chasing one another from tree to tree and through the canopy. The female Golden Oriole builds her nest, Generally in the fork of a tree out of plant fibers and stems, in the shape of a shallow cup. She lays Between 3 and 6 eggs hatch after an incubation the which period of Between 15 and 18 days, that is predominantly conducted by the female. Once hatched, the Golden Oriole both parents help to feed and look after Their young, the which will have left Their nest (fledged) within 20 days. Golden Orioles usually live to be around 9 or 10 years old.

Golden Oriole Diet and Prey
The Golden Oriole is an omnivorous animal feeds primarily on insects That, fruits and seeds are high up in the tree canopy. The Relatively thick, slightly curved beak of the Golden Oriole is the perfect shape for picking Insects out of holes and plucking fruits off the branches. The Golden Oriole also has wide, clawed feet, the which assists the Bird in holding onto the branches more tricky when it is Trying to gather food. They also play a vital role in re-distributing the seeds from the fruits, throughout Their native eco-systems.

 
Golden Oriole Predators and Threats
Despite Their shy disposition, the Golden Oriole can Become incredibly aggressive towards any animal That tries to go near it's nest, swooping and diving at the Invader to try and intimidate it. Due to it's tree-top lifestyle, the Golden Oriole is safe from predators Numerous lower down the trees, but it is still vulnerable to larger Birds Such as Crows, and Birds Of Prey Including Eagles, Hawks and Raptors. They are also Threatened by deforestation and habitat destruction therefore in their native environments.

Golden Oriole Interesting Facts and Features
The people living in the northern parts of Europe, are known to be Able to predict the start of spring with the coming of the Golden Oriole. The Golden Orioles inhabiting more European western regions, are known to migrate as far south as Namibia and South Africa when the winter begins to set in. Despite the Golden Oriole That was thought to have been properly named in the 18th century, it is thought That the Romans could have been calling them the Orioles as early as the 12th century.

Golden Oriole Relationship with Humans
The Golden Oriole Bird is an incredibly shy and very hard to spot high up in the canopy. Without the use of binoculars, the Greener Females particularly, are commonly mistaken for Green woodpeckers, although after a time Their flight is noticeably different. Humans have however, always been awe-struck by Their beautifully distinctive, floaty song. The biggest impact on That Humans have the Golden Oriole is the deforestation of Their native forests, meaning That Their range is quite rapidly decreasing in size as They are losing more and more of Their natural habitat.

 
Golden Oriole Conservation Status and Life Today
The Golden Oriole has been listed as being an animal is of Least Concern That of imminent extinction in the wild, as even though Their territories are shrinking, Populations Generally seem to be stable. The Golden Orioles found across Asia are known to be decreasing slightly in number, but it is thought That Those found in Europe, actually seem to be on the rise.

Golden Oriole Facts
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Oriolidae
Genus: Oriolus
Scientific Name: Oriolus oriolus
Common Name: Golden Oriole
Other Name (s): Eurasian Oriole
Group: Bird
Number Of Species: 2
Location: Across Europe and Asia
Habitat: Woodlands and open forests
Colour: Yellow, Black, Green, Brown
Skin Type: Feathers
Size (H): 20cm - 24cm (7.8in - 9.4in)
Wing Span: 44cm - 47cm (17in - 18.5in)
Weight: 15g - 20g (0.5oz - 0.7oz)
Top Speed: 42kph (26mph)
Diet: omnivore
Prey: Insects, Fruit, Seeds
Predators: Eagles, Storks, Raptors
Lifestyle: Diurnal
Group Behaviour: Solitary
Life Span: 8-12 years
Age Of Sexual Maturity: 1 year
Incubation Period: 15-18 days
Average Clutch Size: 4
Name Of Young: Chick
Age Of fledging: 20 days
Conservation Status: Least Concern
Estimated Population Size: Sustainable
Biggest Threat: Habitat loss
Distinctive Features: Yellow plumage of lazy and bright red eyes
Fun Fact: Migrates Between Europe and Asia!

No comments:

Post a Comment