Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2021-34
| Common name: |
Orchard Oriole |
| Scientific name: | Icterus spurius |
| Date: | 6/4/2021 |
| Time: | 8:30am |
| Length of time observed: | 10 minutes |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | 2nd year |
| Sex: | male |
| Location: | Tracy Aviary's Jordan River Nature Center |
| County: | Salt Lake |
| Latilong: | 40.694932071492076 -111.9213371258229 |
| Elevation: | 4350 |
| Distance to bird: | about 10m |
| Optical equipment: | Nikon10x42 Binoculars |
| Weather: | Sunny, clear, calm and 75F |
| Light Conditions: | Backlit by the low morning sun but otherwise good |
| Description: Size of bird: | Medium sized songbird |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | Classic passerine shape |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | overall mustard yellow |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | shortish but decurved |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
Heard an unfamiliar call in the top of a Hackberry Tree, looked up and saw an
Oriole that was entirely mustard yellow with a heavy black throat and dark lores
giving a masked look. Back and wings were grayish with 2 bold wing bars. Alone
in the top of a tree so no frame of reference for size, but seemed compact and
short tailed. Bill was silvery and short but decurved. Actively feeding on bugs
in the canopy calling. I played the Sibley app calls to compare with what I was
hearing, perfect match for Orchard but the bird didn't react. Photos show some
spots of reddish orange coming in on the breast which is consistent with OROR of
that age as well (see photos) |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | The call is what grabbed my attention as I didn't recognize it, a sharp harsh clicking chit mixed with single plaintiff whistles. Very different from the chatter calls of a Bullocks or the Veet calls of a Hooded that I'm very familiar with |
| Behavior: | Actively feeding on some insects in the canopy of a cultivated Hackberry Tree the whole time I watched it |
| Habitat: | Cultivated lawn and ornamental trees of Assisted Living home, but less than 200m from Jordan River, riparian corridor. |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
Bullocks: 2nd year males are a similar color but oranger, and have a contrasting pale belly and the black on the throat is much
narrower and limited with a dark line through the eye, different more chattery
calls. Hooded Oriole: 2nd year males are very similar but structurally different with a long tail in proportion and a longer bill which makes the bird seem larger. Also usually have only 1 wing bar and less black in the lores and face giving a blank faced look, but those traits are variable. Calls very different, repeated distinctive Veet mixed with squeaky song and harsh chatter. Scott's Oriole:
2nd year male Scott's Oriole variable but usually with messier black markings on
head and throat, not usually with the well defined throat and mask like this
bird. Structurally longer tailed and longer billed. Color more greenish yellow
on the belly and much darker on the back. Calls a more simple chuck and other
harsh notes quite different from the chit calls I heard. I've seen many Scott's
Oriole of all age and sex classes. |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
Yes, I've seen many adult males and females in Texas and Mexico, but can't say I've ever seen a 2nd year male before. I've seen many Bullock's and Hooded of all age and sex classes. |
| References consulted: | Sibley 'Birds of North America' app, Macaulay Library images |
| Description from: |
Notes taken at the time of the sighting From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting |
| Observer: | Bryant Olsen |
| Observer's address: | 84102 |
| Observer's e-mail address: | ** |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | I was with Liz Anderson who also saw the bird |
| Date prepared: | 6/4/21 |
| Additional material: | Photos |
| Additional comments: | eBird checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S89597103 |