It’s a bird, it’s a plane. Yes, it’s a bird, an orange and black bird, at that…
Tweet…tweet!
Q) Why do Baltimore Orioles fly south in the winter?
A) Because it’s too far to walk!
Actually they fly – migrate – to the south and begin as early as July. They end up wintering in a region from Florida throughout the Caribbean islands to the northern part of South America. Indeed, that would be a long way to walk.
More seriously…
Baltimore Oriole > Icterus galbula Family Oriolidae, Icteridae (Old World orioles and allies) > Genus & species- Icterus galbula.
The Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula) is a small songbird. It is the state bird of Maryland. Its range extends from southern Canada to South America and Central America. The male Baltimore Oriole has black plumage and a bright orange chest and bill. Both sexes have a black tail with prominent white tips. It is named after the port of Baltimore, Maryland, where Lord Baltimore had a home.
Baltimore Orioles are a North American Icterid bird species, similar to the more commonly known “orchard oriole”. They are found in the northeast quarter of the United States, with a range that extends into most of southern Canada, extreme northern New England and as far north as James Bay and Hudson’s Bay. They reside year round from California through Texas and all the way to Florida, with only occasional sightings in western Minnesota.
Baltimore orioles are in the icterid family, popularly known as the blackbird family. Baltimore orioles generally inhabit open areas, including parks and yards; although an exception to this rule is the city of Baltimore itself. Orioles have a lighter weight range than most other blackbirds. This discovery was made by naturalists; when they found that some birds were very light for larger species of orioles.
The Baltimore Oriole is a gorgeous bird of the orange and black variety. They are found between Canada and Panama, and have been migrating from Mexico to Massachusetts for the past several years.
Bold black, orange, and white. In winter they fly south to Mexico; in spring they return north, some even stopping in Baltimore for a few days on the way home. Orioles eat insects such as caterpillars, fruit flies, and flying ants—even nonliving items like flower nectar. All orioles need some kind of support for their nests: a branch, a telephone pole, sometimes even an old clothesline.
Baltimore Orioles are hearty, high-flying birds that live in and around the Chesapeake Bay with northern populations wintering in swamps and other coastal areas. They have a long, pointed wingspan and occupy thickets and forests near water. They are brownish above and lighter breast with black streaks. Orioles have orange eyes and yellow beaks, surrounded by a tuft of bright red feathers. The background color varies during mating season or when they are breeding.
Baltimore Orioles are (also) a sports’ team in the city of Baltimore. They play baseball in their home stadium, Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The colors orange and black and white are used to represent the Orioles Baseball Team.
Click here for: Orioles Wall Art.