For residents of east and central North America, the first storms of spring bring them—unmistakable male Baltimore Orioles (Icterus galbula) with black heads and richly coloured orange breasts. The slightly less colourful females follow two weeks later and by May the birds are appearing in the extreme north of their range in southern Canada. Particularly in spring and fall, when their usual diet of insects, caterpillars, and fruit is scarce, Baltimore Orioles may visit feeders for seed, fruit, and suet.
How the Baltimore Oriole Got Its Name
The orioles of the New World were originally called orioles because they look similar to Old World orioles, but the two groups are actually not related. As for the Baltimore Oriole, the story goes that its colours are the same as those on the family shield of Sir George Calvert, Lord Baltimore. Calvert founded Maryland, which claims the Baltimore Oriole as its state bird.
For a while, the Baltimore Oriole had its name changed: it was known to interbreed with the Bullock’s Oriole where their ranges overlap in the middle of the continent, and the assumption was that the two were actually subspecies. After being lumped together for a time under the name Northern Oriole, DNA studies revealed that they were actually significantly different, and they were separated again. Thus, today, the Baltimore Oriole is Icterus galbula, and the Bullock’s Oriole, native to southwestern North America, is Icterus bullockii.
The Golden Robin and Lord Baltimore’s Bird are other common names for the Baltimore Oriole, for obvious reasons.
Interesting Facts About the Baltimore Oriole
The birds' pretty appearance comes with an interesting natural history:
- Baltimore Orioles belong to the taxonomic family Icteridae, and are related to meadowlarks, Red-winged Blackbirds, cowbirds, and grackles, among others.
- Orioles build a fascinating nest of woven fibers that resembles a sack hung from a branch. The nest is very strong and typically well hidden in summer in the high boughs of a deciduous tree.
- Pairs stay close during the breeding season. Females build the nest, incubate eggs, and brood the young. Males may provide nesting material, help to feed nestlings, and look after fledglings after they leave the nest.
- Orioles love to eat tent caterpillars, the caterpillars often seen feeding within gauzy tents built in tree branches. They also like grapes, oranges, and apples.
- The birds spend the winter in Mexico and northern South America.
- Frequently, a few birds are tardy migrating south in the fall, and some overwinter even in Canada, sustaining themselves at feeders. Some of these birds do survive in spite of the harsh winter weather.
If you see orioles around your garden feeders in late spring, look for the nest high in a deciduous tree - perhaps an elm or a maple.
Sources:
"Baltimore Oriole: Icterus galbula." Cornell Lab of Ornithology: All About Birds
Birding in Metro Halifax Stevens, Clarence. Halifax: Nimbus; 1996.
Firefly Encyclopedia of Birds. Perrins, Christopher ed. Buffalo: Firefly Books, 2003,
"Icterus galbula: Baltimore Oriole." Animal Diversity Web. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu
"Northern Oriole: Icterus galbula (Linnaeus)"Tufts, Robie W. Birds of Nova Scotia museum.gov.ns.ca
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