Breeding

Timing of breeding not well documented. Nesting behavior has been documented from March through August, with peak breeding likely from May–July.

Site Characteristics

Reported prefer to nest in more open areas with non-native coconut palm (Cocos nucifera) present (3 Price, M. R., V. A. Lee, and W. K. Hayes (2011). Population status, habitat dependence, and reproductive ecology of Bahama Orioles: a critically endangered synanthropic species. Journal of Field Ornithology 82: 366–378. Close ), however, more recent observations suggest the species can be found nesting in most habitats on Andros (KEO).

Within developed areas nests are most frequently placed in coconut palm, and sometimes silver palm (Coccothrinax argentata) or banana (Musa sp.). In coconut palms, mean nest height is roughly 6 m above ground, and nests are more frequently are sited in the lower layers of palm fronds than in higher layers (3 Price, M. R., V. A. Lee, and W. K. Hayes (2011). Population status, habitat dependence, and reproductive ecology of Bahama Orioles: a critically endangered synanthropic species. Journal of Field Ornithology 82: 366–378. Close ).

Within pine forests, they prefer to nest in areas with tall key thatch palm (Thrinax morisii) in the understory (4 Stonko, D.C., L. E. Rolle, L. S. Smith, A. L. Scarselletta, J. L. Christhilf, M. G. Rowley, S. S. Yates, S. Cant-Woodside, L. Brace, S. B. Johnson, and K. E. Omland (2018). New documentation of pine forest nesting by the Critically Endangered Bahama Oriole (Icterus northropi). Journal of Caribbean Ornithology 31: 1–5. Close ; B. M. Yancy et al., unpublished data). Nests are placed in key thatch palm, sabal palm (Sabal palmetto), as well as Caribbean pine (Pinus caribbea) (4 Stonko, D.C., L. E. Rolle, L. S. Smith, A. L. Scarselletta, J. L. Christhilf, M. G. Rowley, S. S. Yates, S. Cant-Woodside, L. Brace, S. B. Johnson, and K. E. Omland (2018). New documentation of pine forest nesting by the Critically Endangered Bahama Oriole (Icterus northropi). Journal of Caribbean Ornithology 31: 1–5. Close ). In pine forests, roughly half of nests are found 3–5 m up in key thatch palms and the other half around 6–10 m in pine branches high in the canopy (B. M. Yancy et al., unpublished data). In pine forests, nests may be located at least 1 km from forest edge (4 Stonko, D.C., L. E. Rolle, L. S. Smith, A. L. Scarselletta, J. L. Christhilf, M. G. Rowley, S. S. Yates, S. Cant-Woodside, L. Brace, S. B. Johnson, and K. E. Omland (2018). New documentation of pine forest nesting by the Critically Endangered Bahama Oriole (Icterus northropi). Journal of Caribbean Ornithology 31: 1–5. Close ).

Structure and Composition

The nest is an enclosed basket constructed of plant fibers and frequently suspended from palm fronds, as in related species.

Color and Surface Texture

Eggs white with a slight blue tint (8 Jaramillo, A., and P. Burke (1999). New World Blackbirds: the Icterids. Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ, USA. Close ).

Clutch Size

Typical clutch is 3 eggs.

Incubation Period

Incubation lasts 12–14 d (3 Price, M. R., V. A. Lee, and W. K. Hayes (2011). Population status, habitat dependence, and reproductive ecology of Bahama Orioles: a critically endangered synanthropic species. Journal of Field Ornithology 82: 366–378. Close ).

Parental Behavior

Only one parent, presumably the female, incubates.

Condition at Hatching

No information.

Growth and Development

Nestlings of both sexes are dull olive, with dusky gray-brown wings and pale greenish-yellow wingbars; underparts lighter, and the throat and lower belly tinged brighter yellow green (8 Jaramillo, A., and P. Burke (1999). New World Blackbirds: the Icterids. Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ, USA. Close ).

Sex Ratios and Sex Allocation

No information.

Brooding

Both parents brood the nestlings.

Feeding

Both parents feed the nestlings. Young birds are provisioned primarily with insects, supplemented with berries and, occasionally, lizards (Anolis) (3 Price, M. R., V. A. Lee, and W. K. Hayes (2011). Population status, habitat dependence, and reproductive ecology of Bahama Orioles: a critically endangered synanthropic species. Journal of Field Ornithology 82: 366–378. Close ).

Nest Sanitation

Fecal sacs are removed, by both parents, from older nestlings (> 5 d), but not from younger nestlings (3 Price, M. R., V. A. Lee, and W. K. Hayes (2011). Population status, habitat dependence, and reproductive ecology of Bahama Orioles: a critically endangered synanthropic species. Journal of Field Ornithology 82: 366–378. Close ).

No information.

Identity of Parasitic Species

Shiny Cowbird (Molothrus bonariensis) is a known brood parasite of the Bahama Oriole, especially in developed areas.

Frequency of Occurence

As many as 75% of nests in developed areas are parasitized, often resulting in no oriole young fledged for a given nesting attempt. In contrast, nests in pine forests have little to no cowbird parasitism (KEO).

Departure from the Nest

The young fledge after 12–14 d (3 Price, M. R., V. A. Lee, and W. K. Hayes (2011). Population status, habitat dependence, and reproductive ecology of Bahama Orioles: a critically endangered synanthropic species. Journal of Field Ornithology 82: 366–378. Close ).

No information.