Adult Male
The forecrown and a broad stripe through the eye extend to the rear, distinctly connected to a black nape band (the black band on the nape is 15-20mm wide). The primary coverts are black with yellow feather tips. The black primary feathers have a very narrow, pale white outer edge; the first primary feather lacks this edging. The black secondary feathers have a fairly wide, bright yellow edge, which widens towards the inner part of the wing, with the outer edge of the terminal feathers entirely yellow.
The tail is black, with the central tail feathers having a very narrow yellow edging, sometimes indistinct. The aforementioned feathers have a rather wide yellow hue, which broadens laterally, so that the outermost feathers have yellow covering half of the outer vane. The remaining plumage is entirely bright saffron yellow.
Adult Female
Generally grayer than the male, with the entire plumage tinged with grayish-green. The black coloration on the head, wings, and tail is paler and slightly brown. The breast has many faint black streaks, except in very old individuals which lack these streaks.
Juvenile
The plumage is similar to the female’s, but paler. The belly has many faint black streaks down the center of the feathers. There is no black stripe through the eye or on the nape. Subadult males have some coverts and tail feathers with yellow tinged with greenish-blue, and the black on the wings and tail is paler.
Physical Characteristics
- Eyes: Red. Juvenile eyes are grayish-blue or grayish-pink.
- Beak: Pale pink. Juvenile beaks are brown or grayish-brown.
- Legs: Grayish-brown.
Measurements
- Wing: 140 – 160 mm
- Tail: 84 – 99 mm
- Tarsus: 24 – 27 mm
- Bill: 27 – 31 mm
Distribution
The Chinese Golden Oriole is distributed in Korea, Eastern China, and Northern Indochina.
In Vietnam, the Golden Oriole nests in the northern provinces, starting from Hòa Bình. During winter, they migrate south and are found in almost all provinces.