Bird

Puerto Rican Oriole

Icterus portoricensis

Also known as Calandria, Puerto Rican Black-Cowled Oriole

Puerto Rican orioles are striking, forest-dwelling songbirds distinguished by their jet-black plumage accented with bright yellow shoulder patches and rumps. They forage deliberately through the canopy and palm fronds, gleaning insects from leaf clusters, sipping floral nectar, and plucking ripe wild fruits. Monogamous pairs construct woven pendant nests suspended from the underside of broad palm leaves, often defending their breeding territories with whistled duets.

EndemicSongbirdArboreal

—observations

—countries

—peak records

Least ConcernConservation status

Key facts

Diet & preyCaterpillars and beetles, Cecropia and palm fruits, Floral nectar

Predators

Red-tailed Hawk
Puerto Rican Screech-Owl
Black Rat

ThreatsBrood parasitism by shiny cowbirds, hurricane disturbance, and habitat fragmentation

HabitatsTropical moist forests, shade-grown coffee plantations, palm groves, and mangroves

Life span6–10 years

Classification

OrderPasseriformes
FamilyIcteridae
GenusIcterus
SpeciesIcterus portoricensis

Range & activity

Range data is not available yet.

Safe observation

Interaction riskLow

Low
Moderate
High
Very high

Why interaction risk is low: Safe to observe at a normal distance.

Responsible observation

Listen for Calls: Tune your ears to sharp 'chack' scold calls and soft, melodious whistles within dense palm canopies.
Look Up in Palms: Scan the undersides of royal palm fronds, where pairs frequently forage and weave hanging nests.
Respect Breeding Pairs: Maintain a generous distance during spring nesting to avoid attracting opportunistic cowbirds.

Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?

Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.

Checking your Fauna account…