Orchard Oriole

Icterus spurius

Photo by steve messick

Identification

9-10 in. Males are bright chestnut underneath, while the head, back, tail, and wings are black; a thin straight bill. Females and immatures are olive-green above with two white wing-bars and yellowish underparts; immature males have a dark throat. Immature males aquire the adult plumage in their second summer.Length: 6 inches Sharply-pointed bill Male: Black head, back, breast, wings and tail Brown underparts, shoulder, and rump Immature male similar to female but has black throat Female: Greenish-gray upperparts Yellowish underparts Two wing bars

Distribution

Breeds in eastern North America into central Mexico and winters from Mexico into northern South America.

Habitat

The Orchard Oriole is found nesting in shade trees along streams, rivers and lakes, and on farms and parklands.

Behaviour

Only loosely territorial, the Orchard Oriole is often described as a "semicolonial" species in areas of prime habitat, but it is relatively solitary in marginal habitats. In areas of dense nesting, one tree may contain multiple nests. The Orchard Oriole is a rather late spring migrant, but it heads back southward quickly. Some orioles may return to their wintering grounds as early as mid-July. The Orchard Oriole eats nectar and pollen from flowers, especially during the winter. It is an important pollinator for some tropical tree species, transferring the pollen from flower to flower on its head.

They forage in trees and shrubs, also making short flights to catch insects and feed from flowers. These birds mainly eat insects, berries and nectar; also flower parts.

Nests form a deep, hanging cup, although not as pendulous as those of Baltimore Orioles (I. Galbula), and are invariably woven of grass fibers. They are usually hidden within dense foliage, often in a dense cluster of trees. In the South, nests are frequently located within clumps of Spanish moss. Sometimes Orchard Orioles nest near Eastern Kingbirds whose aggressive defense of their nesting territory also benefits neighboring birds.

The male Orchard Oriole sings more to attract a mate than to defend territory. They are only weakly territorial and defend just a very small area around the nest. One song type is short, lasting approximately two seconds, and sounds similar to the song of a Purple or House Finch. A second song type is longer, lasting three to five seconds, and consists of clearer, robin-like whistles, ending in a distinctive down-slurred note.

The young leave the nest 11 to 14 days after hatching. Once fledged, the brood may disperse, the parents caring for groups of fledglings separately. As soon as fledglings are independent enough to care for themselves, Orchard Orioles begin moving south, as early as mid-July. During migration they may be found in a wide variety of open habitats, but avoiding coniferous woodlands and forests with closed canopies. Unlike most songbirds, which undergo a molt before leaving the breeding grounds, molt is suppressed in Orchard Orioles until they arrive at their tropical lowland winter home. Once there, they forage and roost in flocks that can number in the hundreds. While in the North, they feed primarily on insects; in winter nectar, flowers and fruit are important to their diet.

Song is a musical chirping warble. Best heard in the spring soon after the male arrives.

External Links

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