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Out There with the Expert

Orchard Orioles at Dix Park in Raleigh NC

-Sally Siko

Here’s are a couple juvenile Orchard Orioles I spotted while birding at Dorothea Dix Park in Raleigh, NC.
They were waiting patiently for their mother while she was hunting for insects in the grass nearby.
For the most part the two sat perfectly still, only moving occasionally to peck at an ant or two .Once she arrived with a snack, the two little ones would hop excitedly, mouth agape hoping to be the one to receive the food.



Sporting a striking combination of reddish orange and black plumage, Orchard Orioles are the smallest species in this family birds.
Though these little ones are a orange-ish yellow color, soon a black beard of feathers will grow in, running down their chests below their bills.

Orchard Orioles are summertime residents of North and may be found throughout the state through late August.They are often spotted in groves of trees in the middle or edges of fields (like this one) looking for a six or eight legged snack. Although they primarily dine on insects, they will also eat fruit and will even sip nectar from flowers or hummingbird feeders when available too! Aren’t they lovely?

Photos by @sally_siko of @bestlife_birding captured on my mighty mirrorless monster, the @canonusa #R5

Birding Trips and Tours North Carolina, Out There with the Expert

Orchard Orioles in central NC

By: Sally Siko

One of the joys of summertime birding is to find a family of Orchard Orioles hunting for insects and berries in the field.
I’ve had the pleasure of seeing several this year while leading tours. It’s always a thrill to show off these beauties to my guests!



Measuring around 6.5 inches long the Orchard Oriole is the smallest species of oriole in North America. Although they look somewhat similar to their brightly colored cousin the Baltimore Oriole, male Orchard Orioles are more chestnut-reddish toned than the familiar bright orange of the Baltimore.
The female Orchards are equally stunning dressed in their yellow and tan plumage.



Look for Orchards foraging low to the ground along the tree lines near and in open tall grass fields containing scrub brush.
They one of the earliest-departing species after nesting as their departure for winter migration takes place in late July and August here in central North Carolina.
You’ve still got a couple of months left to see them so get out there while you can!

Photos by @sally_siko of @bestlife_birding on my beloved full frame 50MP beast, the mighty @canonusa #5Ds

Field Notes, The Adventures of your bird watching Admin

Orchard Orioles in North Carolina

Here’s an immature male Orchard Oriole that I found in my own yard earlier this week.
He was hunting for insects in the trees at the edge of a field along my property line.
With as much traveling as I do, it was nice that I only had to walk a couple feet from my back porch to find this beautiful bird!

Orchard Orioles are the smallest species in this family of black and orange/reddish colored birds.
Juvenile male Orchard Orioles like the bird featured in the first two photos are a orange-ish yellow color with a black beard of feathers running down their chests below their bills.


*The third photo in this post shows an adult male Orchard that I photographed at Harris Lake Park and the fourth pic is one that I photographed at Ft. Fisher NC.
As you can see, there is quite a difference in appearance between the young and mature birds.
In fact, it takes almost 2 years for the young males to molt into the reddish and black colored plumage of the adults.

Orchard Orioles are summertime residents of North and may be found throughout the state through late August.
They are often spotted in groves of trees in the middle or edges of fields (like this one) looking for a six or eight legged snack. Although they primarily dine on insects, they will also eat fruit and will even sip nectar from flowers or hummingbird feeders when available too!
Aren’t they lovely?

Photos by @sally_siko of @birdwatching_nc on the full frame beast of an SLR, the mighty @canonusa
#5Ds

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An Orchard oriole at Harris Lake Park, New Hill North Carolina

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While birding at Harris Lake Park in New Hill N.C. this week, I was pleasantly surprised to catch a glimpse of this stunning male Orchard Oriole perched low in a field near the shoreline of the lake. Usually these handsome birds are found in the low to mid canopies of the trees at this park hiding in the shade. I knew that they would drop down into the open field occasionally to search for insects but I’d never been quick enough to grab a nice photo before they disappeared into that tall grass. The Orchard Oriole is the smallest species of oriole in North America. Although they look somewhat similar to their brightly colored cousin the Baltimore Oriole, Orchard Orioles are more chestnut toned than orange. They one of the earliest-departing species after nesting as their departure for winter migration takes place in late July and August here in central North Carolina. You’ve still got a couple of months left to see them so get out there while you can! Photos by @sally_siko of @birdwatching_nc Canon 5Ds

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Field Notes, Instagram Birding, Out There with the Expert, The Adventures of your bird watching Admin

An Orchard oriole at Harris Lake Park, New Hill North Carolina

View this post on Instagram

While birding at Harris Lake Park in New Hill N.C. this week, I was pleasantly surprised to catch a glimpse of this stunning male Orchard Oriole perched low in a field near the shoreline of the lake. Usually these handsome birds are found in the low to mid canopies of the trees at this park hiding in the shade. I knew that they would drop down into the open field occasionally to search for insects but I’d never been quick enough to grab a nice photo before they disappeared into that tall grass. The Orchard Oriole is the smallest species of oriole in North America. Although they look somewhat similar to their brightly colored cousin the Baltimore Oriole, Orchard Orioles are more chestnut toned than orange. They one of the earliest-departing species after nesting as their departure for winter migration takes place in late July and August here in central North Carolina. You’ve still got a couple of months left to see them so get out there while you can! Photos by @sally_siko of @birdwatching_nc Canon 5Ds

A post shared by Bird Watching N.C. (@birdwatching_nc) on