Weaving techniques in two species of Icteridae, the Yellow Oriole (Icterus nigrogularis) and Crested Oropendola (Psarocolius decumanus)

Heath, M. and Hansell, M. (2002) Weaving techniques in two species of Icteridae, the Yellow Oriole (Icterus nigrogularis) and Crested Oropendola (Psarocolius decumanus). In: Hayes, F. E. and Temple, S. A. (eds.) Studies in Trinidad and Tobago Ornithology Honoring Richard Ffrench. Series: Occasional Papers of the Department of Life Sciences University of the West Indies (11). University of the West Indies, Department of Life Sciences, pp. 144-154. ISBN 9789766201678

Abstract

African weaverbirds (subfamily Ploceinae) use a variety of weaving stitches in nest construction, which suggests that in these woven nests building behaviour is particularly complex. However, birds in several other families also make hanging nests of entangled vegetation, the most impressive being nests made by the New World orioles and oropendolas (family Icteridae). Examination of nests of the Yellow Oriole (Icterus nigrogularis) and Crested Oropendola (Psaracolius decumanus) in this study demonstrates that a similar range of stitches are used by these species compared with the Ploceinae. The nests of both species, however, make particular use of two simple stitches, the half hitch and simple loop; both species also use a simple weaving technique. Spiral binding is shown by both species, but was at its highest density around the entrance of the nests of the Crested Oropendola. The difficulty of weaving compared to other techniques and the extent of its occurrence among birds are discussed.

• Item Type: Book Sections
• Status: Published
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Hansell, Professor Michael
• Authors: Heath, M., and Hansell, M.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
• Publisher: University of the West Indies, Department of Life Sciences
• ISBN: 9789766201678