Baltimore Oriole

Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula) is in the New World Blackbirds and Orioles family (Icteridae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 45,054 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in May.

Seasonal pattern in the national data: seasonal. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.

When to photograph Baltimore Oriole: observations by month (U.S.)

About Baltimore Oriole

The Baltimore oriole (Icterus galbula) is a small icterid blackbird common in eastern North America as a migratory breeding bird. It received its name from the resemblance of the male's colors to those on the coat-of-arms of Lord Baltimore. Observations of interbreeding between the Baltimore oriole and the western Bullock's oriole, Icterus bullockii, led to both being classified as a single species, called the northern oriole, from 1973 to 1995. Research by James Rising, a professor...From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.

Baltimore Oriole by state

Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.

Related birds (New World Blackbirds and Orioles)

Red-winged BlackbirdAgelaius phoeniceus

Great-tailed GrackleQuiscalus mexicanus

Brown-headed CowbirdMolothrus ater

Common GrackleQuiscalus quiscula

Brewer's BlackbirdEuphagus cyanocephalus

Boat-tailed GrackleQuiscalus major

Western MeadowlarkSturnella neglecta

Hooded OrioleIcterus cucullatus

Photography tips

• Use a fast shutter (1/2000 s or faster) for birds in flight.
• Focus on the eye and shoot at the bird's eye level.
• Approach slowly and stop if the bird changes behavior; never bait or flush birds.
• Morning activity peaks in the first two hours after sunrise.

FAQ