Female Orchard Orioles (Male vs Female Identification)

Orchard Oriole (jaundice) are widespread summer visitors in the eastern half of the United States. Each year, these migratory songbirds visit the United States from May to August to nest.

The male, with a sorrel rust color, is unique among the American jaundice species. However, identifying female orchard orioles can present challenges. So what does a female orchard oriole look like?

Female orchard orchards are small songbirds with pale yellow underparts and olive-colored upperparts. Their solid chartreuse bellies and small size set them apart from similar oriole species, but birders should also pay attention to their wing feathers and call.

Orchard orioles use a variety of natural habitats, from woodlands to swamps, and they frequent backyards. They share these habitats with some similar songbirds from different families. Determining the sex of adult orchard orioles is easy, although juvenile males resemble adult females for several months after leaving the nest.

This article describes the appearance and habits of the female orchard orchard. Read on to learn more about these wonderful songbirds and how to tell them apart from other similar birds.

Close up of an orchard oriole female, perched on a branch

How do you know if an orchard oriole is male or female?

You might be forgiven for thinking that male and female orchard orchards are two different species. These birds exhibit marked sexual dimorphism, resulting in different plumage colors and patterns.

The female orchard oriole has a yellow underside and an olive green top, back, and tail. Their wings show more contrast, with darker flight feathers and paired white stripes. Adult males have rich brown underparts, rump and shoulders. Their heads, backs, tails and flight feathers are all black.

Some American songbirds are pale yellow. So how do birders accurately identify female orchard orioles? Read on for some species-specific characteristics.

female orchard oriole

male orchard oriole

What does a female orchard oriole look like?

Female orchard orchards are small/medium sized songbirds, comparable to eastern bluebirds but slender. Females have very dark eyes and gray legs. Their beaks are pink to gray and may appear lighter underneath.

They have a medium-length tail, and their beaks are pointed, and may appear to curve slightly downward toward the tip.

A female orchard oriole perches on a dead branch.Rondo Provincial Park, Chatham Kent, Ontario, Canada

similar species

Female orchard orioles look similar to other orioles, but they are smaller and have relatively short beaks and tails compared to other species. They also resemble some other American songbirds from different families.

The following species are most likely to be confused with female orchard orioles:

• female baltimore orioles
• female hooded oriole
• female scott oriole
• female scarlet tanager
• female summer tanager

Women and Teens

Juvenile male and female orchard orioles closely resemble females until late summer of the first year. During the second year, juvenile males will develop a black throat patch, which is a good indicator to look out for.

These young males may be successful in finding mates and raising families until they reach full adulthood, although females do not pay them as much attention as adult males.

Female Orchard Oriole Standing Upright

size difference

The orchard oriole is the smallest North American oriole. Females are on average slightly smaller than males, although the difference is not significant.

Orchard Oriole Size (Male and Female)

• Length: 15 – 20 cm (6 – 8 inches)
• Wingspan: 9 – 10 inches (23 – 25 cm)
• Weight: ⅔-1 oz (16 – 28 g)

Immature males look a lot like females, but they have black throats

behavioral difference

Adult male and female orchard orchards are easily distinguished by plumage color, but birders may also spot some interesting behavioral differences.

migrant

Orchard orioles spend relatively little time in their North American breeding grounds compared to other neotropical immigrants. They usually arrive in late spring and may leave before fall begins.

Female orchard orioles arrive at their summer breeding grounds later than males. Arriving early gives males the opportunity to establish territories to attract mates. After nesting is complete, females form small groups with their young and stay six weeks longer than males.

exhibit

Women express interest in men through ritualized gestures. They will confront potential mates by alternately raising their tails and forming a wagging motion with their heads. They also crouch and flap their wings, begging in the typical fashion of young birds.

Female orchard oriole bathing in water

sing and call

Experienced birders can also identify male and female orchard orioles by their vocalizations. Both sexes make a variety of calls, but females sing aurally differently than males. Both sing a raspy, robin-like song, although the female sings it shorter and faster.

If you are lucky enough to observe an active orchard oriole nest, you will notice a clear division of labor. Read on to learn about female nesting behavior.

Perched female orchard orchard call

nesting and feeding

Orchard orioles pair soon after arriving at their breeding grounds. The mates stay together during nesting season, although they don’t often find each other in consecutive years.

Female orchard orioles do most of the nesting work, which takes less than a week. Their nest is a rounded cup, usually suspended between two tree branches. A few days after the nest is built, she will lay four or five eggs with different markings.

Only the female will form a brood, and she will incubate the eggs alone for about two weeks. However, the male usually keeps an eye out, looking for danger and bringing food to his mate.

After hatching, both partners feed the chicks and remove their droppings to keep the nest clean. Young birds develop their feathers early, just two weeks after hatching, and continue to rely on their parents for food.

Orchard Oriole (female) feeding on cranberries on a bush

common problem

Can female orchard orioles raise offspring alone?

Male and female orchard orioles work together to produce one or two broods per year, so it’s unlikely that a female will raise her young alone.

Females do more than their fair share of nesting and incubation duties, but they rely on their mates to assist in feeding the chicks and chicks.

What color is the female orchard oriole?

Female orchard orioles are predominantly yellow. They appear darker above, with brownish wings and olive green backs and crowns. A closer look reveals white stripes on each wing, as well as black beaks, legs and eyes.

Do female orchard orioles call?

Orchard orioles make different calls depending on their behavior and environment. You may hear them chattering during conflict with other females or other birds. Females and juveniles often whistle after forming small flocks ahead of fall migration.

Can a female orchard oriole sing?

Females are not as known for singing as males, but female orchard orioles sing throughout the breeding season. However, they are less vocal than males, and their songs are often more rapid.

Female Orchard Oriole in Serviceberry Bush

Female Orchard Oriole vs Female Baltimore Oriole

The Orchard Oriole and the Baltimore Oriole are two of the most widespread jaundice species in the eastern half of the United States.

Males have distinct color differences, but females are easily confused because they have similar plumage and habitat preferences. However, there are some notable differences between the two.

size

Baltimore Orioles are significantly heavier (about 50-75%) than Orchard Orioles. With some experience, the differences may be noticeable even if you don’t see both species together.

color

Females of both species are yellow in color. However, female Baltimore orioles typically have darker feathers on the back and head, and warmer, richer underparts with varying amounts of orange. In contrast, female orchard orioles are green.

distribution and migration

The distribution of the two species is very similar, although the Baltimore oriole extends north into Canada. The Baltimore Orioles began arriving in the United States in early May and most left in late September. Orchard orioles first return south around mid-April and most leave by late August.

female orchard oriole

female baltimore orioles