Bird Description

The common oriole in most areas. Found in deciduous forest and areas with more scattered trees. Sometimes at feeders. On migration can be found anywhere, often travelling in loose groups. Tends to stay high in trees, sometimes making chattering noises. Fall birds frequently eat berries. Often flies from tree to tree giving 'wink' call. Flight is direct and powerful though unhurried. Song: a mixture of slow, slurred, fluty notes interspersed with faster chattering. ID: A sturdy oriole with shorter tail than most of its cousins. Great variation in color. Ad ?: striking black and orange. Appears hooded with bold wing bars. Ad ?br/1st-s ?: highly variable, from a dull version of ?with white median-covert bar, to paler upperparts and mostly orange below. In fall, orange yellow below. 1st-yr ?: similar but paler, often gray on belly. Late fall birds often paler like BUOR.