Baltimore Oriole
(Icterus galbula)
Adult Male
There is some confusion surrounding the Baltimore Oriole and its western cousin, the Bullock's Oriole.
Ornithologists seem to be going back and forth as to whether these are separate species or just separate
races of the same species. It was believed that they were separate, then, that they were both part of
the same species 'Northern Oriole'. Presently, it has again been decided that it is a species of its own,
after all, not just a race of another. You may find these orioles listed separately in field guides, or
both under 'Northern'.
SIZE : 6 1/2 inches long
DESCRIPTION : Male - Black hood and back, bright orange body. Immature, like adult female.
Female - Olive-yellow on rump, orange-yellow belly;head and back mottled with black;
variable black markings on throat. Immature like adult.
Call is a melodic collection of six or seven loud whistles in announcing its territory
A harsh chatter is an alarm call. Both genders sing.
PREFERRED HABITAT: Shade trees and woods edges
PREFERRED FOOD : Insects and fruit, especially oranges
BREEDING RANGE : Eastern half of the United States and Canada
WINTER RANGE : Mexico to northern South America
INTERESTING FACTS: Not shy of people - will readily visit an inviting yard
Common in wooded areas in spring and summer
Will often come to a feeder for berries, orange halves, nutmeats, suet and syrup
Sometimes they learn to use hummingbird feeders
Really appreciate offerings of nesting material: drape shrubs and bushes with short strands of string
They build an ingenious gourd-shaped nest, about 5 inches long
The nests close like a drawstring purse when occupied by a parent or youngsters
Very territorial; one male will quickly chase another one away from 'his area'