In the north, its crown and upperparts are olive-yellow, while its face, throat, upper breast, wings, and tail are black.

Due to its very large range and apparently stable population, it is considered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature to be a species of least concern.

[4][7] Taxonomists recognize two subspecies, which differ in juvenile plumage:[8] The genus name Icterus comes from the Ancient Greek ikteros, meaning "yellow bird".

[14] Where the female's plumage differs, she has a black face, throat and upper breast, with an olive-yellow crown and upperparts.

[13] The bird's song is a fairly quiet, complicated series of soft, whistled notes and harsher chattering.

[14][16] When alarmed, it gives a scolding series of sharp cherp and chep notes, variously transcribed as cheh-cheh-cheh-chek and churr'churr'churr, sometimes interspersed with snatches of song.

[13][19] The black-vented oriole is larger, bulkier, and longer-tailed, with a black crissum, an orangey-yellow belly, and a longer, straighter beak.

[13] Audubon's oriole, which is seldom found in the same habitat or range, is larger, with a heavier, straight beak and tertials which are edged in white in fresh plumage.

[16] In the early 21st century, it expanded its range to the Pacific slope of Costa Rica, with scattered reports of sightings in the central and southern lowlands.

[17][20] It is found in humid and semihumid forest, including in clearings and along edges, as well as in more open areas with scattered bushes and trees.

[15] In the southern part of its range, it prefers more open habitats, including gardens, forest edges, and second growth.

Made of fine, pale fibers, it is typically suspended from the midrib of a large-leafed plant, such as a heliconia, palm, or banana.

[2][14] It forages at mid-level, often in palms, and takes fruits from trees including various Cecropia species, Talisia olivaeformis, Ehretia tinifolia, Stemmadenia donnell-smithii, Bursera simaruba, and Trophis racemosa.

[14][25][26] The International Union for Conservation of Nature considers the black-cowled oriole to be a species of least concern, due to its large range and apparently stable population numbers.

Population estimates made by Partners in Flight range from 50,000 to 499,000 individuals, with no evidence of declines or serious threats to the species.

[1] Due primarily to the bird's striking colors, Costa Ricans regularly capture and cage the species for pets.