The crested oropendola (Psarocolius decumanus), also known as the Suriname crested oropendola or the cornbird, gets its name from the male’s mating behaviour. It hangs upside down (like a pendulum), spreads its wings, and sings to females. Displaying males perform a deep bow while singing St-st-ee-ee-ee-EE-EE-EE-wooo or CreeeEEEoooooooooo. Both males and females make have a loud clack call. It is a colonial breeder which builds a hanging woven nest, more than 125 cm long, high in a tree. They are found throughout South America’s Amazon River Basin. They prefer edges and clearings of tropical and sub-tropical forests. They may also be found in grasslands, savannahs, and marshes. It is a common bird, seen alone or in small flocks foraging in trees for large insects, fruit and some nectar.
