Baltimore Oriole
Icterus galbula
Also called oriole.
Loud, brilliant and surprisingly hard to see, because it stays in the canopy. It comes to orange halves and grape jelly, which is the most reliable way to get a look at one.
- Size
- Robin to jay — 17–22 cm
- Bill
- Thin and pointed
- Where
- woodland, yard, feeder
- Season
- summer
What it looks like
The male is brilliant flame-orange below and on the rump with a solid black hood and back and white wing bars. The female is yellow-orange with a grey-brown back and no hood.
The checks that confirm it
- Male: solid black hood and back against flame-orange underparts.
- A long, sharply pointed, silver-grey bill.
- White wing bar and white edging on the black wing.
- Female: yellow-orange below with a duller mottled back and no hood.
Voice
A rich series of clear whistled notes, variable between individuals, with a chattering rattle.
Attracting it
Orange halves on a spike, and grape jelly in a shallow dish, put out in late April. They arrive, feed for a fortnight, then move to insects.
Confused with
Smaller, and the male is deep brick-red rather than orange.
Orange breast but a grey back, yellow bill, and it feeds on the ground.
Questions about this bird
How do you identify a baltimore oriole?
Male: solid black hood and back against flame-orange underparts. A long, sharply pointed, silver-grey bill.
What does a baltimore oriole sound like?
A rich series of clear whistled notes, variable between individuals, with a chattering rattle.
How do you attract a baltimore oriole?
Orange halves on a spike, and grape jelly in a shallow dish, put out in late April. They arrive, feed for a fortnight, then move to insects.