Orchard oriole
Icterus spurius
The orchard oriole (Icterus spurius) is the smallest species of icterid.
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
Fun Facts About Orchard 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.
- The species name "spurius" refers to their original misidentification as female Baltimore orioles, and they are sometimes mistaken for New World warblers.
- The orchard oriole (Icterus spurius) is the smallest species of icterid.
- Orchard orioles prefer living near lakes and streams, nesting in tightly woven pouches attached to horizontal tree branches.
- Adult males have chestnut or ochre underparts, while adult females and juveniles have olive-green upper parts and yellowish breasts and bellies.
Conservation Status
The Orchard oriole is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. This species is currently stable and not at significant risk of population decline.
Taxonomy & Classification
| Order | passerines |
| Family | Icteridae |
| Genus | Icterus |
| Species | Icterus spurius |
Range & Habitat
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Other species in the Icteridae family: