Old World oriole

The Old World orioles are an Old World family of passerine birds. The family contains 41 species which are divided in 4 genera. The family includes two extinct species from New Zealand that are placed in the genus Turnagra.

Taxonomy and systematics

The family Oriolidae comprises the piopios, figbirds, pitohuis and the Old World orioles. The piopios were added in 2011, having been formerly placed in the family Turnagridae. Several other genera have been proposed to split up the genus Oriolus. For example, the African black-headed species are sometimes placed in a separate genus, Baruffius. The family Oriolidae is not closely related to the New World orioles, despite their similar size, diet, behaviour and contrasting plumage patterns. Rather, these similarities are an example of convergent evolution.

Extant genera

There are three extant genera in the family Oriolidae:

Image	Genus	Species
	Sphecotheres Vieillot, 1816 – figbirds	Green figbird Wetar figbird Australasian figbird
	Pitohui Lesson, 1831 – pitohuis	Northern variable pitohui Raja Ampat pitohui Southern variable pitohui Hooded pitohui
	Oriolus Linnaeus, 1766 – orioles	Brown oriole Dusky-brown oriole Grey-collared oriole Black-eared oriole Tanimbar oriole Olive-brown oriole Timor oriole Wetar oriole Olive-backed oriole Green oriole Dark-throated oriole Ventriloquial oriole Philippine oriole White-lored oriole Isabela oriole Eurasian golden oriole Indian golden oriole African golden oriole Slender-billed oriole Black-naped oriole Green-headed oriole São Tomé oriole Western oriole Ethiopian oriole Mountain oriole Black-headed oriole Black-winged oriole Black-hooded oriole Black oriole Black-and-crimson oriole Javan oriole Maroon oriole Silver oriole

Extinct genera

There are at least two extinct genera in the family Oriolidae:

Genus Turnagra – piopios
Genus Longmornis – ''Longmornis robustirostrata''
Description

The orioles and figbirds are medium-sized passerines, around 20–30 cm in length, with the females only slightly smaller than the males. The beak is slightly curved and hooked, and, except in the figbirds, as long again as the head. The plumage of most species is bright and showy, although the females often have duller plumage than the males do. The plumage of many Australasian orioles mimics that of friarbirds, probably to reduce aggression against the smaller orioles.

Distribution and habitat

The family is distributed across Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia. The few temperate nesting species are migratory, and some tropical species also show seasonal movements.

Behaviour and ecology

Breeding

Orioles are monogamous, breeding in territorial pairs. Nesting sites may be chosen near aggressive species such as shrikes, drongos or friarbirds, which confer a degree of protection. The nest is a deep woven cup suspended like a hammock from a branch. They usually lay two or three eggs, but as many as six have been recorded.

Food and feeding

Orioles are arboreal and tend to feed in the canopy. Many species are able to survive in open forests and woodlands, although a few are restricted to closed forest. They are opportunistic omnivores, with the main components of their diet being fruit, berries, arthropods, and nectar.