There are no birds in last year’s nest

A Henry Wadsworth Longfellow quotation

Orchard Oriole: Have you seen this bird?

Orchard Oriole

The Orchard Oriole, Icterus spurius, is the smallest species of icterid blackbird at 6.3 inches (16 cm) long. These birds are sometimes mistakenly identified as New World Warblers.

The breeding habitat is semi-open areas with deciduous trees across eastern North America south to central Mexico. These birds enjoy living in shaded trees within parks along lakes and streams.

Identification Tips:
• 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

Similar species:
Male Orchard Oriole is quite distinctive. Female Baltimore and Bullock’s Orioles have grayer bellies than female Orchard Orioles. Female Hooded Oriole very similar but has a decurved bill.

Orchard Orioles depart their winter habitats in March-April and arrive in their breeding habitats in late April-late May. Usually, they leave their breeding territories in late July/early August and arrive on their winter territories in mid August.

While in breeding season, they eat insects and spiders. When the season changes, their diet does as well; to ripe fruit. That quickly passes through their digestive tract. During the winter, their diet consists of fruit, nectar, and insects.