{{Short description|Species of bird}} {{Speciesbox | image = Isabela Oriole 2 (cropped).jpg | image2 = Isabela Oriole (cropped).jpg | status = CR | status_system = IUCN3.1 | status_ref = <ref name="iucn status 12 November 2021">{{cite iucn |author=BirdLife International |date=2018 |title=''Oriolus isabellae'' |volume=2018 |article-number=e.T22706378A134213171 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T22706378A134213171.en |access-date=12 November 2021}}</ref> | genus = Oriolus | species = isabellae | authority = Ogilvie-Grant, 1894 | range_map = Isabele-Oriole-distribution.png | range_map_alt = Map of the Northern Philippines showing known locations of sightings or collections of the Isabela oriole | range_map_caption = Known locations of sightings or collections }}
The '''Isabela oriole''' ('''''Oriolus isabellae''''') is a species of the oriole family endemic to Luzon in the Philippines. It is an oriole identified by its yellowish green plumage and a very large gray bill. This species was presumed to be extinct for many years until its rediscovery in December 1993 near Diffun, Quirino,<ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Gamauf | first1 = Anita | first2 = Sabine | last2 = Tebbich | title = Re-discovery of the Isabela Oriole, ''Oriolus isabellae'' | journal = Forktail | volume = 11 | pages = 170–171 | url = http://orientalbirdclub.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Gamauf-IsabelaOriole.pdf | date = February 1996 | issn = 0950-1746}}</ref> and in Mansarong in September 1994.<ref>van der Linde, K. (1996). [http://www.kimvdlinde.com/professional/publications/Oriole.html "A further record of the Isabela oriole (''Oriolus isabellae'') from Baggao, Cagayan Province, northern Philippines."] Forktail 11: 171.</ref> Additional sightings were made in San Mariano, Isabela. and Baggao, Cagayan Valley<ref>van Weerd, M. and Hutchinson, R. (2004) "Observations of Isabela Oriole ''Oriolus isabellae'' in the Sierra Madre, Luzon, Philippines, with descriptions of the call." Forktail 20: 133-136. [http://www.orientalbirdclub.org/publications/forktail/20pdfs/Weerd-Isabela.pdf] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120414203932/http://www.orientalbirdclub.org/publications/forktail/20pdfs/Weerd-Isabela.pdf|date=2012-04-14}}</ref> It It is found in moist lowland forest up to 440 masl. It is critically endangered with estimates of just 50 to 250 mature individuals remaining. It is threatened by habitat loss and hunting.
== Description and taxonomy == It is described on EBird as "A medium-sized bird of lowland forest, including secondary habitats and bamboo in northern Luzon. Yellow underparts blend into olive upperparts. Bill fairly long and silver. Forages for fruit and insects, sometimes in mixed-species flocks. Similar to White-lored Oriole, but slightly larger, with a silver rather than red bill and no white spot in front of the eye. Song consists of a medium-pitched, upslurred whistle, "hoowit!"<ref>{{Cite web |title=Isabela Oriole - eBird |url=https://ebird.org/ebird/species/isaori1 |access-date=2024-09-10 |website=ebird.org |language=en}}</ref> This species is monotypic.
The Isabela oriole is commonly confused with the much more common white-lored orioles and black-naped orioles. It is differentiated by its extremely large bill grey bill, uniform olive-yellow plumage and lack of white on its lores.
The Isabela oriole is most closely related to the white-lored oriole. Both species are closely related to the paraphyletic Philippine oriole.<ref>Knud A. Jønsson, Rauri C. K. Bowie, Robert G. Moyle, Martin Irestedt, Les Christidis, Janette A. Norman, Jon Fjeldså (2010) Phylogeny and biogeography of Oriolidae (Aves: Passeriformes) Ecography 33(2): 232–241 {{doi|10.1111/j.1600-0587.2010.06167.x}}</ref> The Isabela oriole is sometimes considered to form a superspecies with the dark-throated oriole and the Philippine oriole.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dark-throated Oriole (Oriolus xanthonotus) |url=http://www.hbw.com/species/dark-throated-oriole-oriolus-xanthonotus |access-date=2017-02-24 |website=www.hbw.com |language=en}}</ref> Alternate names for the Isabela oriole include the '''green-lored oriole''' and '''olive-lored oriole'''.
== Ecology and behavior == Feeds mostly on fruit but also insects such as larvae and caterpillars. Typically seen alone, in pairs or small groups in the middle storey to the canopy. It is seen in mixed flocks with other birds such as bar-bellied cuckooshrikes, black-and-white trillers, blackish cuckooshrikes and other forest birds.
Breeding believed to occur during April to June. In 2022, the first record and photographs of a juvenile were released.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Juvenile Isabela Oriole |url=https://www.facebook.com/share/p/68r747b7MeXVRDfs/?mibextid=oFDknk |website=Facebook |publisher=Mabuwaya Foundation}}</ref>
==Distribution and habitat== The Isabela oriole is now confined to the lowland forests in the Northern Sierra Madre mountain range in Luzon.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Oriolus isabellae - Avibase |url=http://avibase.bsc-eoc.org/species.jsp?avibaseid=D25D1A71498B0467 |access-date=2017-02-25 |website=avibase.bsc-eoc.org}}</ref> It is frequently seen in the canopy and middle storeys of forests and also forest edge or patches up to 440 masl.
It has not been recorded in Bataan province since 1947 despite an intensive search done in 2014.<ref name="iucn status 12 November 2021" />
==Conservation status== The Isabela oriole has a known population of about 50-250 mature individuals and is assessed as Critically Endangered based on its extremely small and fragmented population.<ref name="iucn status 12 November 2021" /> Organisations such as Buhay-Ilang, ORIS Project and the Mabuwaya Foundation are working to conserve them with educational programs and festivals celebrating this bird. The oriole is now a Flagship species for the North Sierra Madre National Park.
Since 2015, a research and conservation project for the Isabela Oriole has been implemented in Baggao by the Mabuwaya Foundation. Information, education and communication, community consultations are held in Baggao with the local government, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and local residents. Plans are underway to declare the oriole site in Baggao a Critical Habitat and to encourage ecotourism.<ref>{{Cite web |last=International) |first=BirdLife International (BirdLife |date=2018-08-20 |title=IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Oriolus isabellae |url=https://www.iucnredlist.org/en |access-date=2021-09-04 |website=IUCN Red List of Threatened Species}}</ref>
Under the Philippine law RA9147, it is completely illegal to hunt these birds or to capture and keep them as pets.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Republic Act 9147 |url=https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2001/07/30/republic-act-no-9417/ |access-date=2021-09-08 |website=www.officialgazette.gov.ph}}</ref> As it is crically endangered species on the Philippine Red List, any violations have harsher punishments including "imprisonment of a minimum of six (6) years and one (1) day to twelve (12) years and/or a fine of One hundred thousand pesos (100,000.00) to One million pesos (1,000,000.00), if inflicted or undertaken against species listed as critical"
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q1585174}}
Isabela oriole Category:Birds of Luzon Category:Critically endangered fauna of Asia Isabela oriole Isabela oriole Category:Endemic birds of the Philippines