Altamira Oriole leaving its nest

Did you know that The Altamira Oriole is a solitary nester? The average distance between nests is a quarter kilometer (800 ft). The Altamira Orioles (Icterus gularis) are permanent residents within their range – which includes the subtropical lowlands of the Mexican Gulf Coast and northern Central America, the Pacific coast and inland. They can also be found in the Rio Grande Valley.

The Altamira Oriole’s diet consists of small fruits, hackberries and figs. Insects such as grasshoppers, crickets, and caterpillars are also a staple item. They typically forage high up in trees or the undergrowth.

Altamira Orioles are a medium size bird that is 9 -16 inches in length and weighs about 2.1 oz. Both males and females have a black mandible and throat, as well as a black back and long black tail. Wings are black, but the flight feathers are fringed with white. These form a single white wing bar and white wing spots when folded. The secondary coverts form orange epaulets. The underside is almost uniformly orange or yellowish-orange.

Altamira Oriole females lay three to four white eggs heavily marked with brown. The fibrous nest consists of grasses and plant materials, and suspends from a tree branch or utility wire. Incubation ranges from 12 to 14 days and is carried out by the female.

Altamira orioles are seasonally monogamous and may be for life. They are almost always seen in pairs. Their singing is described as being “a loud, musical, but hesitant series of whistles, reminiscent of an inexperienced human whistler.” They seem to prefer the northwest quadrants of trees, as 9 out of 10 nests observed have been built in that part of a tree’s canopy.

Want to learn more about Altamira orioles or other native South Texas animals? Join us for our one-of-a-kind outdoor Sculpture Trail Tour on Thursdays at 10am and develop an appreciation for the vast variety of creatures that call our region home. Each sculpture provides insight into the natural history of the Rio Grande Valley. At each turn of a trail, there’s a new creature to discover.

Admission Fee:

$3 Adults, $2 Senior Citizens and $2 Children under 12

Free admission to members and children ages 2 years & under.

For groups of 10 or more, please call to reserve a private tour.

Call us at 956-681-3370 for more information.

Come visit us at 600 Sunset Drive in McAllen.