A medium oriole — males chestnut-red below with black above; females yellow-olive. Migration overlaps Baltimore Orioles.
§ Quick facts
§ Encyclopedia
The orchard oriole is the smallest species of icterid. The subspecies of the Caribbean coast of Mexico, I. s. fuertesi, is sometimes considered a separate species, the ochre oriole or Fuertes's oriole.
Source: Wikipedia — Orchard oriole Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
§ Identification
Field marks. Small, slim oriole. Male deep chestnut (brick-red) below with a black hood and back; female and immature greenish-yellow, immature males with a black throat patch.
Similar species. Baltimore Oriole male is bright orange; the Orchard male's dark chestnut color is unique among North American orioles.
Voice. A fast, lively, varied warble ending in a downslurred note; sharp chatter and a 'chuck' call.
§ Diet & behavior
Diet. Insects, seeds, fruits depending on species.
Behavior. The smallest North American oriole; a bird of open woodlands, orchards, and shade trees that feeds on insects, nectar, and fruit and weaves a neat hanging nest.
§ Range
Eastern and central US in summer
§ Habitat
Open deciduous woodlands, orchards, scattered trees
§ Threats
Habitat loss, climate change.
§ Conservation status
According to the IUCN Red List, the orchard oriole is currently classified as Least Concern.
§ What helps
Plant native trees. Skip pesticides. Provide oranges and jelly at feeders.
§ Further reading
- Wikipedia — Orchard oriole
- www.allaboutbirds.org — authoritative profile of Icterus spurius
- IUCN Red List — search for Icterus spurius
- GBIF occurrence records
- Encyclopedia of Life — Icterus spurius
§ Sources cited
- Cornell Lab of Ornithology — All About Birds
- National Audubon Society
- iNaturalist
- IUCN Red List
