Baltimore Oriole

Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula ), male

The Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula ) is a migratory bird with breeding area in North America from the family of blackbirds ( Icteridae ). It is the state bird of the U.S. State of Maryland and the heraldic animal of the baseball club based in Baltimore Baltimore Orioles.

Description

The Oriole reaches a body length of 19 cm. Head and back of the males are completely black. Their wings are mostly black with orange shoulders and a white wing binding. The lower back, the rump and underside are bright orange. The tail is black with orange on the outer feathers. The top of the female is brownish -olive to brownish- gray, the dark wings have two white wing-bars and the underside is yellowish -orange. Females during the first winter are paler on the underside, whitish on the throat and abdomen. Males in the first winter resemble adult females.

Dissemination

The Oriole wintered in the Neotropics, from northern Venezuela and Colombia to northern Mexico, and sometimes up to the southern coastal areas of the United States. He spends the summer in the Nearctic, mostly in the eastern United States. Rarely also appear on copies in Europe.

Habitat and behavior

The Oriole preferred sparse forests and breeds in diverse landscapes. It feeds on caterpillars, insects, seeds, nectar and small fruits. The species is monogamous. In the woven nests in branches of trees, the females lay three to six eggs.