I thought that this was some kind of warbler when I saw it yesterday at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, but some folks on the Facebook “What’s This Bird” forum identified it for me as an immature male Orchard Oriole (Icterus spurius). I think that I was fooled by the yellow color, since most warbler have at least a touch of yellow. Now when I look more closely at the photos, I realize that the bill is shaped differently from those of warblers.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.


Great capture, Mike.
Benjamin is going to be very interested in these photos on Monday. For Benjamin, it’s all about the details and there are an abundance for him to examine. The name Orchid Oriole seems odd for a bird of this coloration, but he is lovely. Thank-you, Mr. Mike!
Apparently the adult male (this is an immature male) is orange and black, more like I think of an oriole. This was a first time for me for this species.
Benjamin is equally as fascinated with what the bird is eating in the tree. I told him that the feathers will be a different color when the bird gets older…”Really, I don’t believe it. How do they get another color?” I will have to look for some photos of the mature male to show him. Thank-you again, Mr. Mike!! P.S. I just noticed that I wrote Orchid instead of Orchard in my first comment, orchid would be a very odd name indeed.