The Wildebeest's guide to South Africa
Black-headed Oriole
Afrikaans name: Swartkopwielewaal
Black-headed Oriole in Kruger National Park
Photo © Steven Herbert
Oriolus larvatus
The Black-headed Oriole is a beautiful bird and it has a melodic call which often gives its presence away. It is not a shy bird and can be seen calling from high up in a tree. Male and female have the same colouration.
This bird may be found from South Africa through to Sudan and Ethiopia. In South Africa they are mainly found in the eastern half of the country.
The Black-headed Oriole eats fruit and insects. They prefer woodland areas including parks and gardens, as long as there are tall trees in the area.
The pair make their nest high up in a tree. It is constructed out of twigs, lichen and cob-webs.
Photo © Steven Herbert
References and further reading
Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 168Wild Issue 29 - Author: - Published: 2014 - Page: 12
The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 216
Southern African Wildlife - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1989 - Page: 179
Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 304
Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 99
Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 1993 - Page: 290
Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 478
Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 472
Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 366
Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 355
Readers Digest Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of Southe - Author: Editor - Alan Duggan - Published: 1991 - Page: 412
Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 302
Meeting with Birds - Author: Tom Spence - Published: 1986 - Page: 79
Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 302
Geoff Lockwoods Garden Birds of Southern Africa - Author: Geoff Lockwood - Published: 0 - Page: 96
Ian Sinclairs Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 214
Garden Birds in South Africa - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 2017 - Page: 99
Field Guide to the Cradle of Humankind - Author: B. Hilton-Barber & Prof. L. R. Berger - Published: 2004 - Page: 184
Everyones Guide to South African Birds - Author: John Sinclair and John Mendelsohn - Published: 1987 - Page: 119
Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Published: 1991 - Page: 150
Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Published: 1999 - Page: 54
Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 179
Birds of the Transkei - Author: C.D. Quickelberge - Published: 1989 - Page: 87
Birds of the Natal Drakensberg Park - Author: Robin Little and William Bainbridge - Published: 1992 - Page: 71
Birds of Southern Africa - Kruger National Park - Author: Kenneth Newman - Published: 1985 - Page: 160
A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1975 - Page: 45
Bird Atlas of Natal - Author: Digby Cyrus and Nigel Robson - Published: 1980 - Page: 195
Animals of the Kruger National Park - Author: G. de Graaff - Published: 1987 - Page: 101
A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1959 - Page: 45
A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 213