BIRD OF THE MONTH - Orchard Oriole

July 2026 - Orchard Oriole

Orchard Orioles are slim songbirds, larger than warblers and vireos. Adult males are black above and rich reddish-chestnut below. They have a black head and throat, with a reddish-chestnut patch at the bend of the wing. Females are greenish yellow with two white wing bars and no black. Immature males look like females, but have black around the bill and throat.

Hopping among riverine shrubs or scattered trees, male Orchard Orioles sing a whistled, chattering song to attract yellow-green females. The smallest of North America’s orioles, it gleans insects from foliage and builds hanging, pouchlike nests during its brief breeding season. Orchard Orioles also feed on fruit and nectar in orchards, gardens, and elsewhere.

And be sure to look for them during the height of summer, as these visitors tend to leave their breeding grounds in late summer, earlier than many other migrants. A long-distance migrant, Orchard Orioles fly from eastern North America to wintering grounds in Mexico through northern South America. They spend less time on breeding grounds than other orioles, arriving by late May and departing as early as mid-July.

Meet the new LHAS Board of Directors (July 2026-June 2027)

our diligent membership team - rex and Maria rundquist (photo on top left)

They offer a warm welcome at the Loess Hills Audubon Meeting on Thursday evenings (starting again in September)!

previous board of directors (2025-2026)

Left to Right: Rex Rundquist, Director 2; Bill Huser, Vice-President; Kayla Sheehan, Secretary; Tucker Lutter, Director 3; Jeri Watkins, Director 5, Phil Breed, Director 4; Kari Sandage, Director 1; Pam Miller-Smith, Treasurer; and Marla Kerr, President