Spot-breasted Oriole

Icterus pectoralisOrder: PASSERIFORMESFamily: Blackbirds and Orioles (Icteridae)

Breeding Location:

Forest edge, Grassland with scattered trees, Forest

Breeding Type:

Monogamous, Solitary nester

Breeding Population:

Yes but uncommon

Egg Color:

Light blue to white marked with black and purple

Number of Eggs:

3 - 5

Incubation Days:

12 - 14

Egg Incubator:

Female

Nest Material:

Grasses, stems, and fiber., Lined with finer materials.

Migration:

Nonmigratory

Overview

Spot-breasted Oriole: Large oriole, mostly bright orange except for black back, mask, throat, and spots on breast; wings are black with large white patches. Tail is black. Forages in shrubs and trees. Feeds on insects, fruits, berries and nectar. Strong direct and swift flight with rapid wing beats.

Range and Habitat

Spot-breasted Oriole: Native of Mexico; first reported in the Miami area in 1949, where it was probably introduced from escaped captives, and has since been found from Homestead to Fort Lauderdale. Preferred habitats include parks, suburbs, and gardens.

Breeding and Nesting

Spot-breasted Oriole: Three to five white to pale blue eggs scrawled with black and purple are laid in a cup nest made of grass, stems, and fibers, and lined with finer materials. Nest is hung across a tree branch 20 to 60 feet above the ground. Incubation ranges from 12 to 14 days and is carried out by the female.

Foraging and Feeding

Spot-breasted Oriole: Eats fruits, berries, and insects. Forages in shrubs and trees; sometimes pries open rolled leaves.

Readily Eats

Suet, Jelly, Orange Halves, Raisins

Vocalization

Spot-breasted Oriole: Song is a liquid series of rich, slow whistles, "whee ch-wee-chu-u." Call is a loud nasal note "nyeh."

Similar Species

Spot-breasted Oriole: Other orioles in range lack orange head, black bib, and breast spots. Female Baltimore Oriole resembles juvenile Spot-breasted, but lacks black on breast.

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Bird Call Credits: The Macaulay Library of Natural Sounds at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Martyn Stewart, http://www.naturesound.org, Redmond, Washington USA. The reuse or copying of bird calls in this database is strictly forbidden.

Spot-breasted Oriole

● Song: "whee ch-wee'chu-u", "nyeh"

● Foraging & Feeding: Spot-breasted Oriole: Eats fruits, berries, and insects. Forages in shrubs and trees; sometimes pries open rolled leaves.

● Breeding & nesting: Spot-breasted Oriole: Three to five white to pale blue eggs scrawled with black and purple are laid in a cup nest made of grass, stems, and fibers, and lined with finer materials. Nest is hung across a tree branch 20 to 60 feet above the ground. Incubation ranges from 12 to 14 days and is carried out by the female.

● Similar species: Spot-breasted Oriole: Other orioles in range lack orange head, black bib, and breast spots. Female Baltimore Oriole resembles juvenile Spot-breasted, but lacks black on breast.

Flight Pattern

Rapidly beating wings., Strong direct flight.

● Range & Habitat: Spot-breasted Oriole: Native of Mexico; first reported in the Miami area in 1949, where it was probably introduced from escaped captives, and has since been found from Homestead to Fort Lauderdale. Preferred habitats include parks, suburbs, and gardens.

^BreedingMonogamous, Solitary nester

^PopulationYes but uncommon

^MigrationNonmigratory

^Weight1.6 Ounces

Field Guide to Birds of North America