Facts About Isabela oriole
The Isabela oriole is a species of the oriole family endemic to Luzon in the Philippines. The bird was presumed to be extinct for many years until its rediscovery in December 1993 near Diffun, Quirino, and in Mansarong, Baggao, Cagayan in September 1994. Additional sightings were made in 2004 near San Mariano, Isabela.
Taxonomy and systematics
The Isabela oriole is most closely related to the white-lored oriole. Both species are closely related to the paraphyletic Philippine oriole. The Isabela oriole is sometimes considered to form a superspecies with the dark-throated oriole and the Philippine oriole. Alternate names for the Isabela oriole include the green-lored oriole and olive-lored oriole.
Distribution and habitat
The Isabela oriole is found in the mountains of northern Luzon. It has not been recorded in Bataan province since 1947.
Status
The Isabela oriole has a known population of about fifty individuals and is assessed as Critically Endangered based on its extremely small and fragmented population.