About Psarocolius bifasciatus (Spix, 1824)
Psarocolius bifasciatus is an icterid species that shows strong size differences between sexes. Males measure 52 cm (21 in) in length and weigh 550 g (1.2 lbs), while the smaller females are 41 cm (16 in) long and weigh 260 g (9.2 oz). The common name "olive oropendola" is most often used for this combined species, which can cause confusion. The nominate subspecies has no olive coloring in its plumage, with a black head and chest; these regions are olive in the subspecies P. b. yuracares. This large oropendola has brown back, wings, and belly. Its outer tail feathers (rectrices) are yellow, making the tail appear entirely yellow when viewed from below. It has pink bare facial skin, brown eyes, and a black bill with an orange tip. The superficially similar green oropendola differs in several features: it has an olive back and olive wing-coverts, lacks extensive bare facial skin, has a pale bill with an orange tip, and has blue eyes.
