Kingdom Animalia Order Passeriformes Genus Oriolus Higher classification Oriolus | Phylum Chordata Family Oriolidae Scientific name Oriolus steerii Rank Species | |
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Similar Bird, Old World oriole, Isabela oriole, Oriolus, Dark‑throated oriole | ||
The Philippine oriole (Oriolus steerii), or grey-throated oriole, is a species of bird in the family Oriolidae. It is endemic to the Philippines.
Contents
- Taxonomy and systematics
- Subspecies
- Description
- Distribution and habitat
- Behaviour and ecology
- References
Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests. The species is fairly common throughout its range, but the Cebu race (O. s. assimilis) was last sighted in 1906 and is now classified as extinct.
Taxonomy and systematics
First described by Richard Bowdler Sharpe in 1877, the Philippine oriole is a member of the genus Oriolus. Some authorities have considered it to be conspecific with, or as a subspecies of, the dark-throated oriole. These two species may form a superspecies with the Isabela oriole.
Subspecies
Five subspecies are recognized:
Description
The Philippine oriole is a yellowish-brown bird with mainly thin feathers on the upper side of its body, a red beak and red eyes as well.
Distribution and habitat
Endemic to the Philippines, the Philippine oriole is found in forest, forest edge and second growth in the lowlands of Masbate, Samar, Leyte, Semirara Island, Negros, Bohol, Mindanao, Basilan and the Sulu Archipelago.
Behaviour and ecology
This species, as much like with other orioles, tend to have a diet of mainly grass, flowers and similar food.