Orchard Oriole
Icterus spurius
Silhouette: Matt Wilkins · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassAves (Birds)
- OrderPasseriformes (Perching Birds)
- FamilyIcteridae (New World Blackbirds and Orioles)
- GenusIcterus (New World Orioles)
- SpeciesIcterus spurius (Orchard Oriole)
About the Orchard Oriole
The orchard oriole (Icterus spurius) 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. The orchard oriole is a small bird with a length of 5.9-7.1 inches, a weight of 0.6-1.0 ounces, and a wingspan of 9.8 inches. Adult males have chestnut or ochre underparts, while adult females and juveniles have olive-green upper parts and yellowish breasts and bellies. They inhabit semi-open areas with deciduous trees in eastern North America, southern Tamaulipas, and Veracruz. Their winter range extends from central Sinaloa and southern Veracruz to northern Colombia and northwestern Venezuela.
Orchard orioles prefer living near lakes and streams, nesting in tightly woven pouches attached to horizontal tree branches. They are nocturnal migrants and feed on insects, spiders, fruit, nectar, and seeds depending on the season. During flight, they usually swoop close to the ground and fly at or below treetop level. Courtship displays include bowing, seesawing, and begging. The species name "spurius" refers to their original misidentification as female Baltimore orioles, and they are sometimes mistaken for New World warblers. Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Orchard Oriole in Everglades National Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Everglades National Park
Baltimore Oriole
Icterus galbula
Spot-breasted Oriole
Icterus pectoralis
Bullock's Oriole
Icterus bullockii
Hooded Oriole
Icterus cucullatus
Boat-tailed Grackle
Quiscalus major
Common Grackle
Quiscalus quiscula
Red-winged Blackbird
Agelaius phoeniceus
Eastern Meadowlark
Sturnella magna
Brown-headed Cowbird
Molothrus ater
Shiny Cowbird
Molothrus bonariensis
Bronzed Cowbird
Molothrus aeneus
Bobolink
Dolichonyx oryzivorus
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Orchard Oriole in Everglades National Park?
Under 5% of wildlife watchers report a Orchard Oriole sighting in Everglades National Park, based on 46 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Orchard Oriole in Everglades National Park?
September has the highest sighting rate for Orchard Oriole in Everglades National Park in our monthly data.