Outdoor Ontario

Request for Information => Bird ID => Topic started by: Dinusaur on December 30, 2015, 08:54:57 PM

Title: Mexican Oriole ID
Post by: Dinusaur on December 30, 2015, 08:54:57 PM

I was at Tulum, Mexico recently and saw the following Orioles around the resort we were staying. When I took these photos I didn't know that there are four different Orioles found in the area. After I came back and took a closer look I started wondering what they were. I have taken a first attempt in identifying them. Please correct me where I have gone wrong. Thanks in advance.
1. Hooded Oriole
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5805/23777799580_d9a5cd9629_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/CearpJ)

2. Altamira Oriole
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1666/23446690483_15808f3929_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/BHUqdc)

3. Orange Oriole pair
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5799/24047420666_1f578117d6_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/CCZjn9)

4 & 5. Audubon Oriole? Not sure why the slight variation of the two birds in the second picture.
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5687/23990838021_6fed2421ea_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/CxZjji)
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5676/24073445725_99d97058d1_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/CFhGH4)

Title: Re: Mexican Oriole ID
Post by: BC on December 30, 2015, 10:31:43 PM

I don't think #3 are Orange Orioles. The female should have a mask and a darker tail. If the male was turned towards us more, could it be a pair of Hooded?
I think #4 is a Yellow-backed. Audubon's is out of range.
#5 could be a pair of Black-cowled. A bit hard to tell from the photo.
My experience with Mexican Orioles is mostly from the north/central interior but I have a nifty little guidebook to Mexican Orioles and their allies.

Title: Re: Mexican Oriole ID
Post by: BC on December 30, 2015, 10:35:55 PM

One more thought from me. #5 could be a Yellow-backed above a Black-cowled.

Title: Re: Mexican Oriole ID
Post by: Brian Bailey on December 30, 2015, 11:22:16 PM

I think you're right with #1. I think #2&3 are Altamira, and #4 is a Yellow-Backed. I can't make a positive ID on either bird in#5.


BB

Sent from my birdroid using Tapatalk.

Title: Re: Mexican Oriole ID
Post by: BC on December 31, 2015, 10:59:55 AM

I can see Brian's point about #3 for the upper bird. Sexes are similar, though, with Altamira so the lower bird would have to be a juvenile.
Considering the region, I still think Black-cowled is the only option for the lower bird in #5.
It's an enjoyable ID challenge. These Orioles brighten up a gloomy day.

Title: Re: Mexican Oriole ID
Post by: Brian Bailey on December 31, 2015, 02:30:12 PM

I visited that area a couple of years ago. I only ever found 2 species of oriole, with Altamira being by far the most common. I know nothing about plumage variation with age, but my recollection is that the shade of orange and the amount of orange in the wing bar was quite variable.


BB

Sent from my birdroid using Tapatalk.

Title: Re: Mexican Oriole ID
Post by: Dinusaur on December 31, 2015, 06:23:13 PM

Thanks Brian and BC for your insights. I was on a vacation with the family and only ventured out on my own occasionally and that too without a binocular. After I took a few shots on the first day I almost stopped taking pictures of the Orioles, why bother filling the memory card with the same bird. Had I known about the differences in Oriole species I would've taken a few more at different angles or could've waited them to come closer. That's what happens to novice birder. Anyway, it was a delightful experience.

Here's a slight variation of the picture #3
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1604/23464899254_d2b570aa06_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/BKvK3w)

And picture #5
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1707/24067102976_56bab13c48_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/CEJcej)