# Orchard Oriole

*Icterus spurius*

Orchard Orioles often build their nests in the same tree as the aggressive Eastern Kingbird, benefiting from the kingbird's fierce defense against nest predators.

- **Taxonomy:** Animalia › Chordata › Aves › Passeriformes › Icteridae › Icterus
- **IUCN Red List status:** Least Concern
- **Population trend:** decreasing
- **Biome:** forest
- **Habitat:** Open woodlands, orchards, riparian corridors, and suburban gardens with scattered trees.
- **Diet:** Primarily insects such as caterpillars, beetles, and spiders; also consumes nectar and small fruits.
- **Range:** North America, Central America, Northern South America
- **Size:** Length: 13-18 cm; Wingspan: 20-25 cm; Weight: 16-28 g
- **Lifespan:** 9-11 years
- **Active:** diurnal
- **Threats:** Habitat fragmentation, pesticide use reducing insect prey, and collisions with glass windows during migration.
- **Safe to approach?:** Harmless. These birds are shy and best observed from a distance using binoculars. If you find a fledgling on the ground, do not touch it as the parents are likely nearby; if the bird is visibly injured, contact a local wildlife rehabilitator.

## About

The orchard oriole ( Icterus spurius ) is the smallest species of icterid. The subspecies of the Caribbean coast of Mexico, I. s. fuertesi , is sometimes considered a separate species, the ochre oriole or Fuertes's oriole .

## Sources

- Plate: https://gaia-dex.com/species/0a4b4409-602c-4941-b7c4-003b9575e8bd
- iNaturalist: https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/9325
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Icterus spurius
- Conservation status: IUCN Red List category, as recorded by Gaia-Dex
- Photo: https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/63856/medium.jpg (Dan Pancamo, CC-BY-SA, via iNaturalist)

Habitat, diet, size and similar notes are AI-written summaries; check them against the linked sources before relying on them.