Oriole, But Which Kind?

I found this bird in a wooded area next to the Hudson River. I know this is an oriole, but not sure what kind. Maybe the birders out there can give their opinion.

Oriole, but which kind?

It appears to be a female. The first time I ran this picture through the Merlin app the first one on the list was Bullock’s Oriole. However, that is a bird in the western US and Mexico mainly. I cannot totally rule that out because we have documented other birds that do not belong in this part of the US. In a couple of the example photos of females on Cornell University’s All About Birds site there were a couple of photos of females with more flat heads like this one.

The second name on the list was Baltimore Oriole. I know we have those around here in NY, but I am not totally convinced. The head on the Baltimore looks rounder in the picture’s on All About Birds than this bird’s head.

The second time I ran it through Merlin a third choice was given: Orchard Oriole. The head looks more rounded on the orchard oriole than this picture as well.

I am looking at the wrong details when comparing? Could this bird have flown into a window and flattened its head? I am not an expert on any of this. Those who are more knowledgeable please feel free to chime in.

7 thoughts on “Oriole, But Which Kind?”

  1. I’m not sure, but I lean toward female Baltimore oriole. I’ve seen female Baltimore and orchard orioles, and my initial reaction was Baltimore.

    There’s a What Bird is This? group on Facebook that might get you a consensus answer.

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