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bird black-head, yellow body

16 years ago

In the last few days, I've been noticing a bird that has a black cape, with the rest of its body yellow or orange in color. It's slightly smaller than a cardinal, and I haven't seen any matches in my Audubon society bird identification book.

If I compare it to of other birds, as far as color is concerned, it would almost look like a yellow-headed blackbird, except it'd have a black head and yellow body, and the black is just on the head and doesn't go all the way into the chest area.

This bird is in north-central Florida and has been snacking on tallow tree seeds.

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Comments (3)

rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
16 years ago
Have you compared with Baltimore Orioles, which could be migrating through your area?
jemdandy
16 years ago
Look up "Black Headed Oriole", 8 inch long. Its the only North American Oriole with a black head and yellow body. The males are yellow and the females and young are oilve green. The young of both sexes aquire a black head in August, but the black wings and tail do not appear until the second fall. It is classed as uncommon and prefers dense woods and thickets. It is retiring and prefers to remain hidden. The song is soft low whistle.
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Tally I'll bet you are right about the migration. Perhaps all the drought sent them down early. I've seen more different birds recently, have not seen a goldfinch but know that I am seeing tufted titmouse, wrens,and some finches that pop in and away pretty fast...as if they aren't accustomed to my well stocked feeders aka fast food for my friends. I'll keep an eye open for yellow. c
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feather_z9_ncacoast
16 years ago
Never heard of a black headed oriole. I am going to guess SCOTT'S ORIOLE :)

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