(aka Black-cowled Oriole)
February 2005
This species has a complicated taxonomic history. It used to be included with Black-cowled Oriole but was split in 1999. (see Lanyon, S.M. & K.E. Omland, 1999. A molecular phylogeny of the blackbirds (Icteridae): five lineages revealed by cytochrome-b sequence data. - Auk, 116 (3):629-639).
Greater Antillean Oriole now consists of 4 sub-species distributed in the West Indies of which one, I. d. melanopsis, is endemic to Cuba. Indeed, in the past, this has even been treated as a distinct species - Cuban Oriole.
All sub-species are black with yellow epaulets and a yellow rump but with varying amounts of yellow below. The Cuban race has the least yellow below being restricted to the thighs and the tips of the undertail coverts as you can see in photo 1. Note also the blue-grey base to the lower mandible.
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