Brazilian name: japu

The Crested Oropendola is distributed from Panama south to northern Argentina but is absent from north-east Brazil. See the distribution map at Birdlife International. It is found in a variety of habitats from humid forest to drier farmland with scattered trees.

It is less of a forest bird than other oropendolas and is usually easily seen near its hanging nests on an isolated tree where the males make their spectacular displays.

It is mostly black with a bright yellow tail except for the black central pair of feathers. The bill is ivory, the eye is blue and the male has a short crest. The male is significantly larger than the female at about 48cm (19") against 38cm (15")