The orioles (Oriolidae) are a family of 36 species of Old World passerine birds. Apart from the orioles and figbirds the family includes two species of pitohuis (Variable and Hooded Pitohui) from New Guinea, previously thought to be whistlers.

The orioles and figbirds are medium sized passerines, around 20–30 cm in length. The plumage of most species is bright and showy, althoug the plumage of many Australasian orioles mimics that of friarbirds, probably to reduce aggression against the smaller orioles. Orioles are arboreal and tend to feed in the canopy. Many species are able to survive in open forests and woodlands, although a few are restricted to closed forest. They are opportunistic omnivores, with the main components of their diet being fruit, berries, and arthropods.

The skin and feathers of the two pitohuis contain powerful neurotoxic alkaloids of the batrachotoxin group (also secreted by the Colombian poison dart frogs). It is believed that these serve the birds as a chemical defence, either against ectoparasites or against visually guided predators such as snakes, raptors or humans. The birds probably do not produce batrachotoxin themselves. It is most likely that the toxins come from the Choresine genus of beetles, part of the bird's diet. Due to their toxicity, Papua New Guineans call the pitohuis rubbish birds as they are not good for eating.