Indian Golden Oriole Oriolus kundoo breeds in China in western Xinjiang from Kashgar Prefecture south to the Karakoram. Typically Oriolus behavior and diet; stays hidden in canopy, feeding on insects and fruit, calling loudly in breeding season. Very much like Eurasian golden oriole, with which it was once considered conspecific. Eurasian and Indian male have lemon-yellow body feathers (including head) and mainly black wings and central tail. Rest of tail yellow; tips of tertials and secondaries and distinct carpal patch also yellow. Carpal patch is larger than that of Eurasian, and black lore becomes short eyestripe that (unlike that of Eurasian) extends behind eye. Bill thick, pink, but lighter pink than Eurasian’s. Female drabber and greener than male, with streaking on yellowish to whitish underparts; streaking more distinct than in Eurasian. Second year males like females; some adult females have plumage that appears male-like. Juvenile streaked on whitish underparts; underparts greenish. Feet grey; iris red in adults, dark in immature birds. Typical catlike mewing calls and liquid, whistling song. — Craig Brelsford
THE ORIOLES OF CHINA
shanghaibirding.com covers all 7 members of Oriolidae in China. Click any link below:
Maroon Oriole Oriolus traillii
Silver Oriole O. mellianus
Black-hooded Oriole O. xanthornus
Indian Golden Oriole O. kundoo
Eurasian Golden Oriole O. oriolus
Black-naped Oriole O. chinensis
Slender-billed Oriole O. tenuirostris
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Daniel Bengtsson served as chief ornithological consultant for Craig Brelsford’s Photographic Field Guide to the Birds of China, from which this species description is drawn.
