Baltimore oriole

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Onglets

Description

Distinguishing features

The upper parts of the adult male are black and the under parts bright orange. Its head is completely black. The female has olive green upper parts and dull orange under parts. The one-year-old male resembles the female, but its head is black.

Reproduction

The female weaves the nest from hundreds of plant fibres. The bag-shaped nest is generally suspended fairly high in a tree. Each clutch usually contains 4 or 5 eggs, which are incubated for 12 to 15 days. The young first leave the nest after about 2 weeks.

Diet

The adults eat insects, fruit and nectar. The young are fed insects caught on leaves, bark and tree branches.

Predators

The adults may be hunted by diurnal and nocturnal raptors. Brown-headed cowbirds sometimes lay their eggs in this bird's nest, but the Northern oriole is not very tolerant, throwing out the intruder's egg.

Habitat

Baltimore orioles nest in southern Canada, almost everywhere in the United States and in northern Mexico. They prefer open and semi-open areas with large deciduous trees. They also frequent tall hedges, orchards and open woodlands near lakes and streams.

Ecology, behaviour

They winter primarily in Mexico and elsewhere in Central America, but some individuals spend the winter in the southern United States or even further north. Their nests are very durable and may stay intact for several years. This species has a predilection for habitats that have been altered or created by humans.

French name

Oriole de Baltimore

Scientific name

Icterus galbula

Phylum

Chordata

Class

Birds

Order

Passeriformes

Family

Icteridae

Size

Length: 18 to 23 cm

Weight

Male: average 34 g; female: average 33 g

Life span

Record: 11 years 7 months

Status

Least Concern (IUCN). Abundant species.

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