Blackheaded Oriole

Karnala is about 29 kms from Thane on the Goa highway. Birds that we could spot included the Blackheaded Oriole, Paradise Flycatcher (could not photograph it, unfortunately), Whitebellied Drongo, Cuckoo Shrike, Purple Sunbird (see pictures 2 & 3), among several others. The best time to spot and photograph birds in the sanctuary is early in the morning (about 7.00 am is ideal). A nominal entrance fee of Rs. 50 is charged for adults plus Rs.10 as clean-up charges. Plastic bags and bottles are banned within the sanctuary limits. 

The visit to Karnala was an excellent opportunity to catch up with childhood friend, Dr Dilip B. Shah, now a practicing orthopedic surgeon and amateur bird photographer.

The Blackheaded Oriole is golden yellow in appearance and has a dark black head, upper throat and wings,  red bill and eyes. It is commonly spotted in pairs in thickly wooded areas. It has a melodious call, quite like that of the Golden Oriole (see post on Golden Oriole).
We were able to spot several birds in the upper canopy of the large trees.
 

 Photograph location: Karnala Bird Sanctuary

Name	Blackheaded Oriole
Alternate name(s)	Blackhooded Oriole
Size	As big as the common myna
Occurrence	Easily spotted in densely forested regions of the SGNP and Karnala Sanctuary. May be identified from its calls.
Status	Quite common
Distinct features	Black head, upper breast and wings, reddish beak. Plumage: conspicuous golden yellow
Male/Female	Alike, with the female having slightly grayish overtones instead of black