Montezuma Oropendola, Pasarocolius montezuma

Montezuma Oropendola, Pasarocolius montezuma. Photographs courtesy of Dr. Tom Bartol, Carlsbad, California, taken in the coastal region of Costa Rica, February 2016.

Montezuma Oropendola, Pasarocolius montezuma, is a member of the Icteriidae Family of Troupials and Allies that includes Grackles, New World Blackbirds and Orioles,. They are large in stature with males being twice as large as females. In Mexico they have a limited distribution being found within the Atlantic Range from San Luis Potosi to Quintana Roo at elevations below 1,000 m (3,300 feet). From a conservation perspective Montezuma Oropendola is currently considered to be of Least Concern with stable, widely distributed populations. They are found in humid environments within lowland evergreen forests, thickets, and brush along the edges of forests. They consume arthropods, small birds, small invertebrates and seasonal fruits and seeds as available.