| Common Name | Baltimore Oriole |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Icterus galbula |
| Type of Report | Out-of-Season |
| Date of Observation | 01/15/2019 |
| Media |  |
| Number Observed | 2 (this report: 1 immature). |
| Reporting Observer's Name | Kenneth Cox |
| Mailing Address | 28 North Puckerbrush Road South Reading, VT 05153 United States Map It |
| Email hidden; Javascript is required. | |
| Date Completed | 08/09/2019 |
| Names & Emails of Other Contributing Observers | Cathryn Abbott |
| Latitude of Observation (enter 0 if unable to provide) | 42.872983 |
| Longitude of Observation (enter 0 if unable to provide) | 72.57145 |
| Place Name | Kenyon Residence, 175 Upper Dummerston Road |
| Township | Brattleboro |
| County | Windham |
| Vermont eBird Checklist URL | ebird.org |
| Time of Day | 09:09 AM |
| Length of Time Observed | 1 hour |
| Maximum Estimated Distance from Bird (in feet) | 180 ft. |
| Minimum Estimated Distance from Bird (in feet) | 70 ft. |
| Noteworthy Weather Conditions | Partly cloudy, cold, no precipitation. Good conditions for observing birds. |
| Optical Equipment Used for Observation | Bins (Cox): Swarovski 8.5X42 Swarovision. |
| Observer’s Previous Acquaintance With This or Similar Species | This is a common species in Vermont from May through September and frequently encountered in suitable habitat. As such the species is very familiar to this observer. I have been an avid birder since the early 1970s. Other similar oriole species with which I have extensive experience are Bullock's Oriole (I. bullockii) and Orchard Oriole (I. spurius). |
| I certify that any attachments included with this report were captured during this observation event. | |
| Description of Habitat | Bird has been visiting feeders at the Kenyon property since at least the Brattleboro Christmas Bird Count (December 15, 2018). Feeders offer the usual seed types, suet and meal worms. The property is nicely landscaped with numerous deciduous and coniferous trees and shrubs of diverse age classes/sizes, perennials, vines, etc. |
| Behaviors Observed | During our viewing time this bird was seen in the crowns of the tall deciduous trees (Acer sp.?) located behind the Kenyon residence and next to VT Route 30 as well as a visitor to the feeders. |
| Description of Vocalizations | None heard. |
| Verbal Narrative & Description of Observation | This bird was present throughout most of the one hour time interval that Cat Abbott and I were on location. While it was perched in the upper heights of deciduous trees and at the feeder during this time, it was clearly visible with binoculars. Numerous photos were taken of which one is included in this report. The others were of poor quality. In addition to this bird there was a second Baltimore Oriole, an adult male, details of which were submitted in a separate RSD. |
| Relative Size & Shape | Bird was similar in size and shape to a Red-winged Blackbird. |
| Head | Head was plain grayish brown with some yellowish overtones on nape, crown and cheeks. Throat was decidedly bright yellow. Sides of the head lacked any prominent features, such as contrasting supercilliary line or eye line. |
| Feet & Bill | Bill was typically icterid: relatively long, straight, thin, and gradually tapering to a point; not finch-like. Color of legs and feet were not noted. |
| Upper Back | Grayish. |
| Lower Back & Rump | Not noted. |
| Wings | Wings were dark gray with two prominent whitish wing bars. |
| Breast, Belly, Flanks, Under Tail Coverts | Upper breast was bright yellow, gradually becoming lighter toward below; belly was light gray. Undertail covert color was not noted. |
| Tail | Tail length moderately long and dark gray with some yellow evident when backlit. |
| IMPORTANT: What similar species were eliminated when making the identification and how was this bird different? | Bullock's Oriole was ruled out primarily on basis of not having a light supercilliary and absence of a dark line on loral area and entending to behind eye. |
| Other Notes & Comments | Plumage characteristics seem to indicate a late fall immature. Sex uncertain. |
| This report was written from notes taken: | Written from Memory |
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