September 21, 2010 | 
Author 
My eyes almost popped out of my head when I casually glanced out my kitchen window and saw a flash of orange. Take a look at this photo, and you’ll understand why! I’ve had glimpses of Baltimore Orioles (Icterus galbula) in the past, but this is the first time I have had the chance to watch them for a little while. Though I recently bid farewell to the hummingbirds, I’ve had little time to dwell on their departure because of these new arrivals!
A group of three Baltimore Orioles spent about 20 minutes in the hackberry and red oak trees in my back yard. Two were male, and the one above – a female. She stayed hidden amongst the leaves for most of her visit, but I’m glad I got a quick look so that I could see the dramatic difference in coloration between male and female (sexual dimorphism).
Though this small flock was only passing through, their visit “made” my entire month. That bright orange is so vibrant…just love it. I’ve got a great two-volume set of reference books called The Bird Life of Texas1 – it has the most impressive descriptions of color that I have ever encountered. How’s this for imagery:
- “…lower back, rump, and upper tail-coverts between orange chrome and flame scarlet…”
- “…mandible cinereous or plumbeous…” (had to look both of those words up)
- “…dull saffron yellow…” (female)
- “…tail between yellow ocher and raw sienna, middle retrices saccardo umber…”
I could not find a direct definition of saccardo, but the pairing of this word with “umber,” suggests that the author was referring to an Italian scientist known for his mycological (the study of fungi/mushrooms) studies, Pier Andrea Saccardo. The word, “umber,” is a type of soil and has come to describe the color of that soil. I can imagine that the close association between some species of fungi and the earth into which it forms its complex networks, could serve as the inspiration for this description. It is impressive and intriguing that the author used “saccardo umber” as a creative way to describe the color of a bird’s feathers. Perhaps my tangential foray into the origins of this word pair is completely wrong…but the journey has been worth it.
Bird Guide: Land Birds East of the Rockies, by Chester K. Reed, Copyright © 1909, Published by A.M. Eddy, Albion, NY
This page from my antique bird field guide offers one of its characteristic charms – a glimpse into the attitude and culture of a century ago. I wonder if Baltimore Oriole nests are still commonly found attached to houses, within reach of windows? I wonder if children are still engaged enough with nature to notice birds or to find amusement in placing colorful bits of yard outside for the birds to use?
I wonder how these birds will be described, and our interactions with them, a century from now?
~
If you haven’t found the time to spend a few minutes outside, or at least looking through a window, I hope you will soon. This time of year…you never know what kinds of birds you might see!
- The Bird Life of Texas, by Harry C. Oberholser. Paintings by Louis Agassiz Fuertes. Edited, with distribution maps and additional material, by Edgar B. Kincaid, Jr. – with the assistance of Suzanne Winckler and John L. Rowlett. Copyright © 1974 University of Texas Press, Publishers. ↩
Posted in Birding
Wow Amber, that first photo of the male Baltimore Oriole is stunning! And I love those color descriptions. Of course the more demure female is beautiful too.
I always enjoy your trips into the antique field guide as they have incredible descriptions not seen in today’s guides. I, like you, encourage folks to get out and enjoy the autumn. It is a great time to be a lover of nature and especially a birder. Fall migration is here!
Hi Larry – I sure felt lucky to see the Orioles and grab a few photos. They were here so briefly, makes me wonder what other bird species I missed!
Thanks for sharing the rare glimpse of the Orioles .. such a pretty coat of colors. This reminded me of the Ruby throated Humming bird you had recently and their migration patterns.
I found this link to migration facts that was so interesting and included your Ruby Hummingbird flying 600 miles in 24 hours, so I thought I would share.
http://www.zoosociety.org/Conservation/BWB-ASF/Library/BirdMigrationFacts.php
Thanks, Dad. Migration is really an amazing feat. I took a quick glance at the link – looks like some good information. Always fun to learn!
Hi Amber, I found your blog via The Birder’s Report post! Great photography of the Baltimore Orioles. We had 2 nesting pairs this Spring in our backyard…so, I understand your excitement! Gorgeous birds!
Hi Cindy – yes, Larry at The Birder’s Report has been a great blogging buddy of mine for a couple of years now. Thanks for dropping by…those Orioles have been the birding highlight of my year. So far.
Wow! That first image is breath-taking! Thank you for researching the term “saccardo umber” and posting about it- I plan on using that in my lexicon and will watch for such coloration when the orioles show up here in Costa Rica. They are common winter residents but I haven’t seen any fall arrivals yet.
Pat, I was amazed at the variety of color descriptions used by the author, Oberholser, in that reference set. Hard to beat “saccardo umber” for a new way to describe the color of bird feathers.
Gorgeous photos of beautiful birds. Too bad the baseball team isn’t doing them justice!
It’s too bad that the Orioles baseball team isn’t doing so well. I’ll take your word for it since I don’t follow them. Yankees…now that’s another story. I wish my favorite players from last years’ World Series had not scattered to the four winds. I suppose we could say they just migrated…
Oh, Baltimore Orioles are so beautiful! Congrats on the great sighting. We had ONE in our yard last year for ONE day – I was so excited when I first saw it that my loud gasp startled my husband! They are rare in our neighborhood but I’m lucky because I can go see them any time I want during the summer – my parents (just 45 min away) have several pairs nesting and feeding in their yard. Love your look at the old field guide. I have a few old ones here, but I admit I rarely look at them. I must correct that.
Lucky, indeed. Orange is such a great color, and off the top of my head, I can’t think of another orange bird that lives or passes through North Central Texas.
The old bird guides are really a treasure – mine have color artwork and species accounts that include glimpses of the thoughts and attitudes of the time.