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Orchard Oriole

Icterus spurius ORDER: PASSERIFORMES FAMILY: ICTERIDAE

IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern

Orchard Oriole Photo

© Kevin T. Karlson

The smallest North American oriole, the Orchard Oriole is found nesting in shade trees along streams, rivers and lakes, and on farms and parklands. The rich chestnut color of the adult male can be so dark that he may appear all black before you get your binoculars on him.

Inside Birding
For complete information on this species, visit The Birds of North America Online.

Appearance

Blackbirdlike
Blackbirdlike
Typical Voice

Adult Description

  • Small oriole, medium-sized songbird.
  • Long tail.
  • Thin, pointed bill.
  • Wingbars.
  • Adult male deep brick red with all-black head, back, and tail.
  • Female and yearling male yellow-green, male with black bib.

Male Description

Head all black. Tail, back, and most of wings black. Breast, belly, rump, and shoulder dark chestnut. One thin white wingbar; other wing feathers edged in white.

Female Description

Bright greenish yellow below. Olive-green above. Wings brownish with two narrow white wingbars.

Immature Description

Similar to adult female. First-year male yellow like female but with black throat patch and occasionally some chestnut feathers on body.

Range Map Help

Orchard Oriole Range Map
View dynamic map of eBird sightings

Similar Species

  • Baltimore Oriole male similarly patterned, but bright orange, not deep brick red, and with orange in tail. Female and immature male light orange, not yellow.
  • Hooded Oriole female and first-year male similar to female and first-year male Orchard Oriole, but has longer tail, longer, more down-curved bill, and lacks a distinct second wingbar.
  • Female and immature Scott's Oriole darker overall with streaks on back, larger and heavier bodied, and with longer, straighter bill.