Identification
Usually the commonest orange-and-black oriole of tropical lowlands and foothills along the Pacific coast of Mexico and Central America; also occurs in dry interior valleys. Very rare in the southwestern U.S. Found in tropical woodland and edges, plantations, towns, gardens, and semiopen areas with hedges and scattered trees. Slightly larger and bulkier than slenderer and longer-tailed Hooded Oriole, with straighter bill, more extensive white edgings to the wing feathers, and variable dark streaking on the back (faint in northern birds, heavy in southern birds, and sometimes almost solidly black). Both sexes have black throat patch, lacking on female Hooded. Some immature Streak-backed can be quite dull yellowish but usually still show faint streaks on the back; compare with Bullock's Oriole.