About Oriolus xanthornus (Linnaeus, 1758)
This species is scientifically called Oriolus xanthornus (Linnaeus, 1758), and is commonly known as the black-hooded oriole. Adult males have a striking, typical oriole black and yellow coloration. Their plumage is predominantly yellow, with a solid black hood, and additional black markings on the wings and the centre of the tail. Adult females are drabber in overall coloration than males, with greenish underparts, but still retain the distinct black hood. Young birds resemble adult females, but have dark streaking on their underparts, and their black hood is not solidly coloured, particularly on the throat. The solid black head of this species clearly distinguishes it from the Indian golden oriole, which is a summer visitor to northern India. Orioles of this species can be shy, and even the more brightly coloured male may be hard to spot when hidden among dappled yellow and green leaves in the tree canopy. The flight of the black-hooded oriole is somewhat similar to that of a thrush: it is strong and direct, with shallow dips when flying over longer distances. When foraging, this species uses three methods: foliage-gleaning, wood-gleaning, and sallying.
