Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula)

This brilliant orange and black oriole was attracted to orange halves impaled on twigs near the parking lot. This is an adult male. They are unrelated to the Old World Orioles (family Oriolidae), but instead are classified with the New World Blackbirds (family Icteridae). Although this species hybridizes in Kansas and Nebraska with the Bullock's Oriole, DNA analysis indicates that they are not each others closest relatives. Instead they are more closely related to the Black-backed and Streak-backed orioles of Mexico. Their songs and nests also differ significantly and the hybrids appear to be at a selective disadvantage. The AOS subsequently split the two species in the 40th supplement (1995) after having lumped them as "Northern Oriole" in the 6th edition (1983) of their check-list.