Blackbirds, Grackles, Orioles

Orchard Oriole, Icterus spurius

Family Icteridae (Blackbirds, Grackles, Orioles)

Size: 7"

Season: Summer

Habitat: Orchards, open woodlands, parks

The orchard oriole is a small oriole with a relatively thin, short bill and a short tail that it often tilts sideways. The male is black above with a red rump and a black, hooded head. The underside is reddish or orange brown with a similarly colored shoulder patch. The lower mandible is light blue gray. Females are markedly different, being greenish gray above and bright yellow below with two white wing bars. The juvenile is similar to the female but has a black chin and lores. Orchard orioles feed in trees for insects, fruit, and nectar and emit high, erratic, musical whistles and chirps. The adult male (bottom) and adult female (top) are illustrated.