Variable Oriole vs Audubon’s Oriole

Variable Oriole

Icterus pyrrhopterus

How to recognise a variable oriole?

General appearance

Variable Orioles exhibit striking coloration, primarily black and vibrant orange. Their physical traits include a relatively large size for an oriole, varying between 23-25 cm in length, a sturdy bill, and long tails. The wings and tail exhibit black color with white wings bars and edges.

Male vs female

Both males and females boast a vivid orange back, rump, and undertail, however, males often exhibit a darker, burnt orange compared to females. The wings are predominantly black in both sexes with the male having more extensive black on its underside. The female's underside is mainly orange whilst the male is largely black.

Juvenile

The juveniles are more modest in their coloration. They are primarily olive-brown with indistinct streaking on their underside. They lack the striking orange and black contrast of the adults till they mature to attain the full bright plumage.

Size

7.5 - 8.3 in/1.0 - 1.3 oz

Habitat

The Lush, Tropical Jungle Settings

Variety is the spice of life for the variable oriole, which is especially at home in the lush, pulsating heart of the tropics. From dense, leafy jungles to thriving plantations, their favorite hangouts are awash with shades of green.

Unexpected Urban Retreats

Surprising to many, these colorful fluttering visitors are quite comfortable even amid the hustle and bustle of urban life. They have been spotted bobbing and weaving through city parks and gardens, treating dwellers to a delightful dash of tropical charm.

Range Map

What do variable orioles like to eat?

Natural diet

The variable oriole primarily feeds on insects, fruits, and nectar found in its natural habitat. This includes beetles, caterpillars, and aphids, as well as berries from trees such as mulberry and serviceberry. It may also consume the nectar of various flowering plants, contributing to its energy requirements and overall nutrition.

Bird feeders

At bird feeders, the variable oriole is attracted to sweet foods. Common offerings include sugar water, similar to what is used for hummingbirds, as well as fresh fruits like oranges and apples. Additionally, grape jelly is a popular feeder choice, providing a sugary treat that mimics the natural sweetness of fruits it typically consumes.

What does a variable oriole sound like?

The Variable Oriole's vocalizations include a series of short, rapid whistles or flute-like notes, trills, and twitters, often repeated in sequence. Its calls can resemble the phrases "cheerily" or "cherry." Despite its name, its song is fairly consistent among individuals. They also utilize a sharp "chek" or "kluik" sound as an alarm or distress call. These birds frequently use imitations of other bird species in their song repertoire.

Song

Audio by Jayrson Araujo De Oliveira

/ CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

There's more to learn about Variable Oriole

View full details

Audubon’s Oriole

Icterus graduacauda

Also known as: Black-Headed Oriole

How to recognise an Audubon's oriole?

General appearance

The Audubon’s oriole is a medium-sized bird approximately the size of a Robin or 9 1/2 inches (24 cm) in length. Its most distinct feature is the stark contrast of colors with a solid black hood, black tail and mostly black wings against a yellow-green back. The bird's wing and tail shapes are rounded with a wedge-like appearance

Male vs female

Male and female Audubon’s orioles share similar coloration, but the female is slightly duller than the male. Notwithstanding, they both bear the distinctive yellow-green back strongly contrasting with their black regions.

Juvenile

Young Audubon’s orioles present a much duller color scheme than adults, mainly lacking the solid black found on mature birds. Over time, their plumage develops to resemble that of adults, thus indicating sexual maturity.

Size

7.5 - 9.4 in/1.1 - 1.8 oz

Habitat

Primary habitat

Audubon’s oriole prefers woodlands and thickets, particularly native woods near Texas' Rio Grande and live oak groves.

Additional range

In addition to southern Texas, it is found in north mesquite brushland and humid oak forests or pine-oak woodlands in Mexico's foothills.

Range Map

What do Audubon’s orioles like to eat?

Natural diet

The primary diet of Audubon's oriole consists of mostly insects and berries. While the details are not thoroughly known, it is known to consume a variety of insects. Additionally, it eats various berries, including those from the hackberry plant, and sometimes consumes nectar.

Bird feeders

Common foods found at bird feeders that Audubon's oriole might consume include fruits, such as oranges or grapes, and nectar from hummingbird feeders. Offering jelly or sugar water could also attract them, as they are known feeders on sweet substances.

What does an Audubon's oriole sound like?

The Audubon’s oriole possesses a distinct, sweet and melodious song characterized by a 3-syllable warble, considered one of the most pleasing among orioles. Typical vocalizations include a variety of sounds that create a unique pattern, from chattering to flute-like notes and clear whistles. These varied calls and songs contribute to its charming auditory presence in its natural habitat.

Call

Audio by Paul Marvin

/ CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Song

Audio by Paul Marvin

/ CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

There's more to learn about Audubon’s Oriole

View full details

Variable Oriole

Tap To compare

Audubon’s Oriole

Variable Oriole

Icterus pyrrhopterus

General appearance

Variable Orioles exhibit striking coloration, primarily black and vibrant orange. Their physical traits include a relatively large size for an oriole, varying between 23-25 cm in length, a sturdy bill, and long tails. The wings and tail exhibit black color with white wings bars and edges.

Male vs female

Both males and females boast a vivid orange back, rump, and undertail, however, males often exhibit a darker, burnt orange compared to females. The wings are predominantly black in both sexes with the male having more extensive black on its underside. The female's underside is mainly orange whilst the male is largely black.

Juvenile

The juveniles are more modest in their coloration. They are primarily olive-brown with indistinct streaking on their underside. They lack the striking orange and black contrast of the adults till they mature to attain the full bright plumage.

Size

7.5 - 8.3 in/1.0 - 1.3 oz

There's more to learn about Variable Oriole

View full details

Audubon’s Oriole

Icterus graduacauda

Also known as: Black-Headed Oriole

General appearance

The Audubon’s oriole is a medium-sized bird approximately the size of a Robin or 9 1/2 inches (24 cm) in length. Its most distinct feature is the stark contrast of colors with a solid black hood, black tail and mostly black wings against a yellow-green back. The bird's wing and tail shapes are rounded with a wedge-like appearance

Male vs female

Male and female Audubon’s orioles share similar coloration, but the female is slightly duller than the male. Notwithstanding, they both bear the distinctive yellow-green back strongly contrasting with their black regions.

Juvenile

Young Audubon’s orioles present a much duller color scheme than adults, mainly lacking the solid black found on mature birds. Over time, their plumage develops to resemble that of adults, thus indicating sexual maturity.

Size

7.5 - 9.4 in/1.1 - 1.8 oz

There's more to learn about Audubon’s Oriole

View full details

How to tell the Variable Oriole from the Audubon’s Oriole

Visual differences

The Variable Oriole (Icterus pyrrhopterus) features a vivid orange and black plumage, with chestnut shoulder pads, a sturdy bill, and black wings with white bars. It measures 7.5 to 8.3 inches in length. In contrast, Audubon's Oriole (Icterus graduacauda) displays distinct black hoods and tails with a yellow-green back, rounded wings, and a wedge-like tail, measuring about 9.5 inches in length. Both sexes in each species are similar in coloration, with Audubon's having a duller shade in females and juveniles of both species less vibrant.

Key differences and behavior

Variable Orioles and Audubon's Orioles exhibit distinct behavioral differences useful for field identification. Variable Orioles, often found in tropical jungles and urban parks, are social, often forming large family groups of up to 30 birds. They engage in aerial courtship displays and are adaptable to various habitats. Their diet includes insects, fruits, and nectar, with a preference for sweet offerings at feeders. Conversely, the shyer Audubon's Orioles reside in woodlands and thickets, particularly in southern Texas and Mexico. Pairs may remain together year-round, and they often fall prey to nest parasitism from Bronzed Cowbirds. Their diet also consists of insects and berries, and they enjoy duetting. Both orioles frequent bird feeders for fruits and nectar but differ in social behavior and habitat preference.