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About Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore oriole derives its name from its song, which imitates
the liquid song of the European, or golden oriole, or from the Latin aureolus
meaning golden. The "Baltimore" comes from Sir George Calvert, First
Baron of Baltimore (Maryland), whose coat-of-arms is orange and black.
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| Adult Male Baltimore Oriole |
Appearance
Baltimore
orioles belong to the blackbird family (grackles, blackbirds,
cowbirds), are approximately 7-8 inches long, and weigh in at 35 grams
(about the weight of six quarters).
The adult male is brilliant orange on the body with a black head and wings and white bars.
Watch a short movie of an adult male Baltimore Oriole.
(QuickTime 990 KB)
©The Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, New York
Adult females are brown or scaly-black where the males are black,
though older females may look like adult males. Immature birds are
browner and duller yellow to orange.
Watch a short movie of an adult female Baltimore oriole.
(QuickTime 930 KB)
©The Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, New York
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| Adult Female Baltimore Oriole |
Song
The Baltimore
oriole song is a rich, clear, loud whistle usually including short,
two-note phrases. The tone is highly variable, though characteristic.
Females sing too. You may also hear the chatter call in defense of
territory.
Listen to a recording of the oriole's song.
(QuickTime 930 KB)
©The Macaulay Library of Natural Sounds at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, New York.
Listen to a recording to the oriole's chatter and song.
(QuickTime 356 KB)
©The Macaulay Library of Natural Sounds at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, New York.
Food
Orioles forage at high or midlevel in trees, eating mainly insects, spiders, fruits, and nectar.
Orioles will come to feeders! Their preferred treats are orange halves, grape jelly, and nectar feeders.
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