[Icterus icterus]
The Troupial is the national bird of Aruba, and that is where I met my brightly-coloured oriole friend. It is also the national bird of Venezuela -- one day I may have to go visit to meet his Venezuelan counterparts!
Common in northern South America, Troupials can also be found on Aruba, Curaçao, and Isla Margarita. They have also been introduced to Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, and Bonaire. Troupials are nest pirates, chasing other birds away and eating the eggs! They are obligate nest pirates, which means they're one of the only kinds of birds that never make their own nests, much preferring a pre-warmed seat and an omelette.
They are 6-8 inches, with a wingspan of 11-13 inches (approximation from my own sightings) Several things make Troupials easy to identify. They have bright, bright orange bellies, black heads and black wings with a striking white stripe. Conical black beaks, yellow eyes, and, the most unique part of a Troupial: they have a patch of blue skin around the eye that has no feathers.
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