Baltimore Oriole
Icterus galbula
According to my resources at Wildbirds Unlimited this is a female or juvenile Baltimore Oriole. (A first for me!) They are migrating through the Texas Hill Country in large numbers visiting hummingbird feeders, suet and fruit feeders to fuel up for their long flight. I've been hearing this bird's call since we came back to the ranch. (Audio of the Baltimore Oriole's call HERE.) It's quite distinctive and not one I'd heard before. They are noisy! I spotted this one at the watering trough. Not a great photo as I was very far away and there were two wire fences between us.
The bird's colors resemble those on the coat of arms of Lord Baltimore thus the name Baltimore Oriole. They primarily feed on caterpillars, moths, beetles, ants, bugs, scale insects, aphids, and woodborers and also eat fruits, suet, jelly, orange halves, raisins, flower nectar, and garden peas. They forage by gleaning prey insects from leaves and twigs. Groups are collectively known as a "pitch" or a "split" of orioles.
Baltimore Orioles, members of the blackbird family, are more often seen than heard as they typically feed high in the trees. I suspect this one just came down for a drink from the trough since water is so scarce due to the extreme drought conditions.
The bird's colors resemble those on the coat of arms of Lord Baltimore thus the name Baltimore Oriole. They primarily feed on caterpillars, moths, beetles, ants, bugs, scale insects, aphids, and woodborers and also eat fruits, suet, jelly, orange halves, raisins, flower nectar, and garden peas. They forage by gleaning prey insects from leaves and twigs. Groups are collectively known as a "pitch" or a "split" of orioles.
Baltimore Orioles, members of the blackbird family, are more often seen than heard as they typically feed high in the trees. I suspect this one just came down for a drink from the trough since water is so scarce due to the extreme drought conditions.
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