Oriole 211475 219966115 2008-06-17T17:51:16Z Anaxial 2273576 copyedit {{alternateuses}} {{Taxobox | name = Oriolidae | image = Black-naped Oriole.jpg | image_width = 250px | image_caption = [[Black-naped Oriole]] | regnum = [[Animal]]ia | phylum = [[Chordate|Chordata]] | classis = [[bird|Aves]] | ordo = [[passerine|Passeriformes]] | subordo = [[Passeri]] | familia = '''Oriolidae''' | familia_authority = [[Nicholas Aylward Vigors|Vigors]], 1825 | subdivision_ranks = Genera | subdivision = *''[[Oriolus]]'' *''[[Figbird|Sphecotheres]]'' }} The '''orioles''' are a family of Old World [[passerine]] [[bird]]s. The family '''Oriolidae''' comprises the [[Figbird]] ''Sphecotheres viridis'', the only member of the genus ''Sphecotheres'', and the [[Old World]] orioles in the genus '''''[[Oriolus]]'''''. Several other genera have been proposed to split up the genus ''Oriolus''. For example, the African black-headed species are sometimes placed in the genus ''Baruffius''. The family is not related to the [[New World oriole]]s, which are [[icterid]]s, family Icteridae. The family is distributed across Africa, Europe, Asia down into Australia. The few temperate nesting species are [[bird migration|migratory]], and some tropical species also show seasonal movements. The orioles and Figbird are medium sized passerines, around 20–30 cm in length, with the females only slightly smaller than the males. The [[bill|beak]] is slightly curved and hooked, and, except in the Figbird, 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 Australiasian orioles mimics that of [[friarbird]]s (a genus of large [[honeyeater]]s), probably to reduce aggression against the smaller orioles. Orioles are arboreal and tend to feed in the [[Canopy (forest)|canopy]]. Many species are able to survive in open forests and woodlands, although a few are restricted to closed forest. They are opportunistic [[omnivore]]s, with the main components of their diet being fruit, berries, and arthropods. Orioles are [[monogamy|monogamous]], breeding in territorial pairs (although the Figbird breeds in loose [[bird colony|colonies]]). Nesting sites may be chosen near aggressive species such as [[drongo]]s, [[shrike]]s or friarbirds, which confer a degree of protection. The [[bird nest|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. == References == {{nofootnotes}} * Walther B. & P. Jones (2008) "[http://www.hbw.com/lynx/en/handbook-birds-world/HBW0013-handbook-birds-world-volume-13.html?insideContentId=1 Family Oriolidae (Orioles and Figbirds)]. Excerpt from upcoming book. ''Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 13'' Accessed: [[11 April]] 2008. * Diamond J (1982) "Mimicry of friarbirds by orioles" ''The Auk'' '''99'''(2): 187-196 [http://elibrary.unm.edu/sora/Auk/v099n02/p0187-p0196.pdf] == External links == {{commonscat|Oriolidae}} * [http://ibc.hbw.com/ibc/phtml/familia.phtml?idFamilia=173 Oriole videos] on the Internet Bird Collection [[Category:Oriolidae|*]] [[Category:Genera of birds]] [[af:Wielewaal]] [[ca:Oriòlid]] [[de:Pirole]] [[myv:Ожопуло]] [[es:Oriolidae]] [[eo:Orioledoj]] [[fr:Oriolidae]] [[ko:꾀꼬리과]] [[os:Бурцъиу]] [[lt:Volunginiai]] [[hu:Sárgarigófélék]] [[nl:Wielewalen en vijgvogels]] [[ja:コウライウグイス族 (Sibley)]] [[nn:Pirolfamilien]] [[pl:Wilgi]] [[pt:Oriolini]] [[ru:Иволговые]] [[simple:Oriole]] [[fi:Kuhankeittäjät]] [[sv:Gyllingar]] [[vi:Họ Vàng anh]] [[tr:Sarıasmagiller]] [[uk:Вивільгові]] [[zh:黄鹂科]]