Overview

Orchard Oriole: Small oriole, black head, back, tail, and chestnut-orange shoulder patches, underparts, rump. Wings are black with single broad white bar; flight feathers have white edges. Feeds on insects, fruits, berries, nectar and flowers. Swift direct flight on rapid wing beats.

Range and Habitat

Orchard Oriole: Breeds from southern parts of the Canadian prairie provinces, southern Ontario, central New York, and southern New England south to northern Florida, the Gulf coast, Texas, and central Mexico. Spends winters in Central America and northwestern South America. Inhabits open woodlands, areas of open second-growth, orchards, suburban streets, riparian areas, and scattered groves of trees.

Breeding and Nesting

Orchard Oriole: Three to seven pale blue or gray eggs with gray, purple, or brown spots are laid in a woven pouch of grass lined with plant down. Nest is attached to a fork in a tree or bush. Incubation ranges from 12 to 14 days and is carried out by the female.

Foraging and Feeding

Orchard Oriole: Feeds on insects, nectar, flowers, and fruits.

Readily Eats

Suet, Jelly, Orange Halves, Raisins

Vocalization

Orchard Oriole: Song is a series of rich, varied whistled notes "look here, what cheer, wee yo, what cheer, whip yo, what wheer." Call is a sharp musical "chuck" or dry chattering "chuh-huh-huh-huh."

Similar Species

Orchard Oriole: Female and juvenile Hooded Orioles are larger, have longer tails, longer, more down-curved bills, and grayer backs.