Detail from painting by Terry O'Nele.
All copyrights of Song Bird artwork retained by the artist. No reproduction of any part without permission of the artist.
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The Baltimore
race is a brilliantly colored melodious oriole and is the state bird
of Maryland. The male is black above and orange below, while the female is olive
above and yellow-orange below; both birds have white wing bars and are 7 to 8 1/2
inches long. The Baltimore
oriole takes its common name from Sir George Calvert, first Baron of Baltimore, whose
land grant north of the Potomac became the state of Maryland. Sir George's coat of
arms bore the orange and black colors of the male oriole, and the early settlers
named the bird in his honor.
Song
The oriole's song is flutelike, a low
"hew'li."
Habitat
Baltimore
orioles prefer places where large trees are present in relatively open areas, such
as shade trees along country roads, orchards, city parks and suburban areas.
Migration and winter range
The bird usually
winters from southern Mexico to Colombia and Venezuela, though
it is sometimes found in south-eastern Canada and the eastern United States. In mid
August, about two weeks before it migrates south, the bird's song is often heard,
especially in the early morning.
Food
The birds spend
much of their time in the dense foliage of shade trees, gleaning insects from the
leaves and twigs. Caterpillars are in important food source, usually making up over
33 percent of the total diet. The bird has been known to eradicate local infestations
of orchard tent caterpillars. Moths, beetles, ants, bugs, scale insects, aphids and
wood borers are among other food insects. Wild fruits, garden peas and flower nectar
are also consumed. Nectar feeders and oranges cut in half attract orioles to feeding
stations.
Nest
Pendulant, very
well made "pouch" of grasses and plant fibers. It is very resilient but
will not be used again.
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