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Black-headed Oriole
Afrikaans name: Swartkopwielewaal
Black-headed Oriole in Kruger National Park
Photo © Steven Herbert
Oriolus larvatus
The Black-headed Oriole is a beautiful bird and it has a melodic call which often gives its presence away. It is not a shy bird and can be seen calling from high up in a tree. Male and female have the same colouration.
This bird may be found from South Africa through to Sudan and Ethiopia. In South Africa they are mainly found in the eastern half of the country.
The Black-headed Oriole eats fruit and insects. They prefer woodland areas including parks and gardens, as long as there are tall trees in the area.
The pair make their nest high up in a tree. It is constructed out of twigs, lichen and cob-webs.
Photo © Steven Herbert
References and further reading
A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Year Published: 1975 - Page: 45Animals of the Kruger National Park - Author: G. de Graaff - Year Published: 1987 - Page: 101
Birds of the Natal Drakensberg Park - Author: Robin Little and William Bainbridge - Year Published: 1992 - Page: 71
Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Year Published: 1999 - Page: 54
Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Year Published: 1991 - Page: 150
Field Guide to the Cradle of Humankind - Author: B. Hilton-Barber & Prof. L. R. Berger - Year Published: 2004 - Page: 184
Geoff Lockwood's Garden Birds of Southern Africa - Author: Geoff Lockwood - Year Published: - Page: 96
Reader's Digest Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of Southern Africa - 2nd edi - Author: Editor - Alan Duggan - Year Published: 1991 - Page: 412
Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Year Published: 1985 - Page: 478
Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Year Published: 1993 - Page: 472
Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Year Published: 2011 - Page: 304
Wild Issue 29 - Author: - Year Published: 2014 - Page: 12