Least Concern Birds

Eastern Black-headed Oriole

Oriolus larvatus

Eastern Black-headed Oriole eats insects and fruits in African savannas and river valleys.

Scientific name	Oriolus larvatus
Swahili name	Mwewe kichwa mweusi
Conservation status	Least Concern
Class	Aves
Order	Passeriformes
Family	Oriolidae
Size	Male: approximately 70-90 grams; Female: slightly lighter, approximately 65-85 grams

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How to identify

Head and neck black; rest of the body bright yellow; wings and tail with black markings; medium to large size; bill relatively thick and pale

Habitat

Open woodland savanna, shrubs, valleys, and open forest

Diet

Omnivorous, mainly feeding on insects, fruits, and berries

When it is active

Diurnal

Where it lives

Distributed in East Africa, including Kenya, Tanzania, and adjacent areas; common in Masai Mara National Reserve

How to spot it

Observe at dawn or dusk in open woodland or at edges of shrubs; listening for its clear calls helps in locating it

Photography tips

Use a telephoto lens to capture its bright coloration and distinctive black head; choose well-lit times and simple backgrounds to highlight the bird’s colors

Threats

Habitat destruction and deforestation

Similar species

Eurasian Golden Oriole (Oriolus oriolus), differs by having a fully black head and brighter body coloration; African Golden Oriole (Oriolus auratus) has darker coloration and an incompletely black head

📖 how to spot the eastern black headed oriole on safari