ICTERIDAE of North America
The Icterids are a group of small to medium-sized, often colorful birds, restricted to the New World. Most species have black as a predominant plumage color, often enlivened by yellow, orange or red. The majority of icterid species live in the tropics, although there are a number of temperate forms. They inhabit a range of habitats, including scrub, swamp, forest, and savannah. Temperate species are migratory. Icterids are variable in size, and often display considerable sexual dimorphism. Their size varies 15-52 cm. One unusual adaptation shared is they can open their bills strongly rather than passively, allowing them to force open gaps to obtain otherwise hidden food. Some use their gaping motion to open the skins of fruit to obtain the soft insides, and have long bills adapted to the process. Others such as cowbirds have shorter stubbier bills for crushing seeds. Orioles will drink nectar. The nesting habits of these birds are similarly variable. [abstracted from Wikipedia]
Orioles
Order Passeriformes Family Icteridae
New World orioles of family Icteridae, genus Icterus are not related to Old World orioles of family Oriolidae, but are strikingly similar in size; diet; behaviour and their strongly contrasting plumage, a good example of convergent evolution. The males are typically black and yellow or orange, with white markings; the plumage of females and immature birds is duller. They are generally slender with long tails and a pointed bill. They mainly eat insects, often also nectar and fruit. The nest is a woven, elongated pouch. Species nesting in areas with cold winters are migratory.
Genus Icterus
Oriole, Altamira Icterus gularis Found: extreme south of Texas, Mexico
Altamira Orioles and Spot-beasted Orioles are similer.
Oriole, Audubon's Icterus graduacauda Found: southeastern Texas, Mexican coast
Photographed by: 1) Jerry Oldenettel - Mexico 2, 3) Bill Bouton - Texas 4) Amy McAndrews- Mexico
Oriole, Baltimore Icterus galbula Found: North America
Photographed by: 1) Dick Daniels - North Carolina 2) Dick - North Carolina 3) Bhardwaj Shanthanu
Oriole, Black-vented Icterus wagleri Found: North America, Central America
Photographed by: Len Blumin - Mexico
Oriole, Bullock's Icterus bullockii Found: North America
Photographed by: 1) Kevin Cole- Atascadero Lake 2) Charlie Westerinen - Tonopah, NV 3) Clinton 4) Eugene Beckes
1, 2) Male 3, 4) Female
Oriole, Hooded icterus cucullatus Found: southwestern North America
Male Hooded Orioles and Streak-backed Orioles are similar. Female Hooded Orioles and Orchard Orioles are similer, but their ranges only marginally overlap.
4) Linda Tanner - Morro Bay, California
1, 2, 3) Male 4) Immature
Oriole, Orchard Icterus spurius Found: central and eastern North America
Female Hooded Orioles and Orchard Orioles are similer, but their ranges only marginally overlap.
1 - 4) Male 5, 6) Female / Juvenile
Oriole, Scott's Icterus graduacauda Found: southwestern United States to central Mexico
Photographed by: 1) Phillip Cowan - California 2, 3) J N Stuart - New Mexico
1) Female 2, 3) Male
Oriole, Spot-breasted Icterus pectoralis Found: North America (Florida) and Central America
Altamira Orioles and Spot-beasted Orioles are similer.
Oriole, Streak-backed Icterus pustulatus Found: southwest United States (rare), west coast of Mexico
Male Hooded Orioles and Streak-backed Orioles are similar.
Genus Dolichonyx - 1 species
Bobolink Dolichonyx oryzivorus Found: The Americas
Photographed by: 1) Alan D. Wilson near Diamond, Oregon 2) New Jersy Birds
1) Male 2) Female
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