Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2026-54
| Common name: |
Orchard Oriole |
| Scientific name: | Icterus spurius |
| Date: | 9/4/2026 |
| Time: | 750 |
| Length of time observed: | 30 minutes |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | HY |
| Sex: | M |
| Location: | Rio Mesa Banding Station (Bonderman Field Station) |
| County: | Grand |
| Latilong: | 38.79912, -109.20475 |
| Elevation: | ~4200 feet |
| Distance to bird: | In hand |
| Optical equipment: | None (Mist netting and Banding Operation) |
| Weather: | 66.2 degrees F at net open, wind 1 on beaufort |
| Light Conditions: | sunny |
| Description: Size of bird: | Measurements in description |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | Songbird |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | Yellow |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | insect catching |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
Captured during regular mist netting at rio mesa station (bonderman
field station). Captured in the 7:50am net run. Wing 75mm, tail 68mm,
exp. culmen 15.1mm, tarsus 19.1 mm. No flight feather molt including
tail. Aged FCJ no body molt and little flight feather wear. (see photos) |
| Song or call & method of delivery: |
Chrip calls while in hand recorded. (audio) |
| Behavior: | Angry (only seen in hand and in net, dissapeared after release) |
| Habitat: | Canyon river, mostly Tamarisk and cottonwoods |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
Much consideration between this and a Hooded Oriole. Pyle (2022) measurements confirmed differences, measurements fell cleanly within only OROR ranges. |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
I'm an eastern birder so these are common where I'm from, as are HOOR. over 1500 birds banded to date. |
| References consulted: | Colleges at Mississippi State University, Colleges from Univeristy of Utah, Pyle 2022, Cornell lab of O (birds of the world, Merlin, etc) |
| Description from: |
Notes taken at the time of the sighting From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting |
| Observer: | Avery Holt |
| Observer's address: | Suwanee GA |
| Observer's e-mail address: | ** |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | Duncan Fraser, Nikolas Orton |
| Date prepared: | 9/4/2026 |
| Additional material: | Photos Audio |
| Additional comments: | What an exciting day of banding! |