Common North American bird Icterus galbula, similar to the finch, in the family Icteridae, order Passeriformes. The beak is conical and longer than the head, and the wings long and pointed. The plumage, especially that of the males, is glossy black, orange, and vermilion. It has a strong, sweet song, and is gregarious in its habits. Northern orioles eat fruit and insects and build hanging nests, about 15 cm/6 in long, from moss patches, cattle hairs, or fibres.