Orchard Oriole (Icterus spurius)

County List:

Rule:

Mixed Forested/Nonforested or Nonforested Landscapes

      Upland Brush
      or Savanna

Habitat List:

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Literature:

Habitat: In Michigan, as elsewhere, Orchard Orioles nest in farmyards, residential neighborhoods, campgrounds, old apple and pear orchards, nurseries, hedgerows, roadsides, brushy hillsides, open second-growth woodland, and partly open fields with scattered trees.

This oriole avoids dense forest, closed canopies, and coniferous forest in Michigan. However, in some residential locations, it is found in association with evergreens in otherwise deciduous habitat. Many of its breeding sites are characterized by sandy or sandy loam soils and shade-intolerant tree species such as black oak, sassafras, and wild black cherry. Only 2 of over 50 observations in southwestern Michigan involved birds in proximity to water.

Factors controlling populations in Michigan are not clear. Pesticide use in orchards and the closing of the forest canopy on successional lands are factors which deserve consideration. Also, parasitism by Brown-headed Cowbird has been noted and may be a problem.

Habitat: Breeding: Orchards, woodland margins and open woodlands (avoids dense forest), shade trees along country roads and in suburbs. Prefers open, cultivated lands near human dwellings. Favors low elevations.

Habitat: Wood edges, orchards, shade trees. Breeds in semi-open habitats with deciduous trees and open space, including riverside trees, orchards, suburbs, forest edges and clearings, prairie groves. Usually avoids unbroken forest.

Diet: Mostly insects, some berries and nectar. Diet in summer is mostly insects, especially caterpillars, beetles, and grasshoppers, plus many others, also spiders. Eats some berries, perhaps more in fall and winter. Often feeds on nectar and may eat parts of flowers.

Nest: Site is in tree (usually deciduous) or tall shrub, rarely in tall dense marsh growth. Often 10-20 feet up; typically placed in fork of horizontal branch, sometimes in clump of Spanish moss or other site. Nest is a hanging pouch or basket, not as deep as some oriole nests, woven of grass and plant fibers, lined with fine grass and plant down.