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Oriole and Blackbird Identification
Northern Bullock's Orioles, Baltimore Orioles, Hooded Orioles, Orchard
Orioles and More.
Insectivorious, fruit eating birds, the Oriole is one of the most striking larger birds
that you will see in trees and gardens across the United States. The flash of orange,
yellow, and black in a nearby elm or oak is a treat for any birdwatcher. While many
different species of oriole either remain on the east cost or along the border between
Texas and Mexico, the Northern Oriole lives all across the United States.
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Once two distinct species, the Baltimore Oriole and Bullock's Oriole, the birds have
interbred over time and are now considered variations within one single species. One
of the biggest problems that orioles face is the intrustion of cowbirds into their nests.
A parasitic bird, the cowbird will often lay an egg in the nest of an oriole, and the
larger young bird will take most of the food from the smaller baby orioles upon hatching.
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Get to Know Your Orioles and Blackbirds
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Bullock’s Oriole | Icterus bullockii | 8" - 9"
I wait for the coming of this wild bird as I imagine my ancestors awaited the coming
of spring sunshine. The merest glimpse of Bullock’s Oriole is, to me, like taking a
bite out of the perfect mandarin orange. Read Article »
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Tri-colored Blackbird | Agelaius tricolor | 8 ¾"
On the Tri-colored blackbird, you will see a small patch of dusty, muddy red with a
wider stripe below it of pale yellow or cream. That’s the big difference. Read Article »
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- Read the Latest News from the Birding Sonoma County Blog -
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Tomales Bay State Park Closure - One Upset Birder
January 22, 2008, Point Reyes, CA
Governor Schwarzenegger is planning to close our beautiful, sacred Tomales Bay State Park
in Marin County along with 42 other desperately-needed and exuberantly cherished state
parks throughout California. Closing all of these wonderful parks would not even take us
1% in the direction of being back in the black. And think of what will have been lost. Read Article »
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Bay Area Oil Spill A Disaster For Birds
November 11, 2007, Kenwood, CA
When the Cosco Busan crashed into the Bay Bridge, every birder I know immediately thought
of what this disaster would mean for the birds. In addition to our beloved birds, whales
will be swimming through the oil, as will seals, sea lions and other marine mammals. West
Marin is one of my favorite places on earth, and to see it thus spoiled fills me with
sorrow and anger. Read Article »
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Bewick's Wren - A hidden Bay Area bird worth seeking!
October 7, 2007, Glen Ellen, CA
Today, we'll turn our gaze on Bewick's Wren, Thryomanes bewickii, one of the larger
SF Bay Area Wrens. Bewick's Wren, like most wrens, will instantly strike you as being
'all-tail'. Identification clue number one for wrens is that they tend to hold their tails
up-turned, as if in proud of their lovely plumes. Read Article »
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The White-crowned Sparrow has returned!
September 24, 2007, Kenwood, CA
This trusty little bird disappeared when the weather heated up, early in the year, heading
north to cooler Canada. Just this afternoon, my husband called me to the window excitedly.
There, at the foot of the photinia hedge, a lone White-crowned Sparrow was hopping humbly
through the green grass. Read Article »
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