There are a few species of orange breasted birds that can be found in the province of Alberta in Canada. The most notable of these are the Baltimore Oriole, the American Redstart, and the Western Tanager. In the opening paragraphs below, we will briefly introduce each of these birds and some of their key identification features.
Baltimore Oriole
The Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula) is a medium-sized songbird measuring 17-21 cm in length with a wingspan of 29-32 cm. Males have bright orange underparts, rump, and shoulder patches contrasting with black heads, wings, and tails. Females are duller overall with olive upperparts and orange-yellow underparts. Both sexes have pointed bills and white wing bars. Baltimore Orioles breed in open deciduous forests across much of central and eastern North America. In Alberta, they can be found along river valleys during the spring and summer nesting seasons before migrating south to Central America for the winter.
American Redstart
The American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla) is a small songbird measuring 12-13 cm in length with a wingspan of 23 cm. Males are black above with large orange patches on their wings, tails, and sides. Females are gray above with yellow tails and orange sides and bellies. Both sexes have two white wing bars. American Redstarts breed in moist thickets across North America. In Alberta, they nest in riparian areas and wet woodlands before migrating to Central and South America for winter. They can be identified by their habit of fanning and flashing their colorful wings and tails.
Western Tanager
The Western Tanager (Piranga ludoviciana) is 18-20 cm long with a wingspan around 30 cm. Breeding males are bright yellow with black wings, tails, and backs. Females are yellowish overall with olive backs and gray wings and tails. Both have thick pointed bills. Western Tanagers breed in coniferous and mixed forests in western North America. In Alberta, they can be found in the western foothills and mountain forests. They winter in Mexico and Central America. The male’s contrasting color pattern makes this species easy to identify.
Identification Tips
When trying to identify orange breasted birds in Alberta, consider the size, shape, coloration, habitat, and behavior:
- Size – Orioles are medium sized, redstarts are small, and tanagers are medium-large
- Shape – Look at wingspan, tail shape, bill shape
- Color – Note which parts are orange versus yellow or black
- Habitat – Deciduous trees, riparian areas, coniferous forests?
- Behavior – Actions like wing flicking, fruit eating, or aerial foraging
Paying attention to multiple features will help distinguish between potential species. range Maps And Abundance Having covered the main orange breasted birds found in Alberta, let’s take a look at when and where these species occur across the province. Below is a table showing their seasonal occurrence and relative abundance:
Species | Breeding Season | Winter | Abundance |
---|---|---|---|
Baltimore Oriole | May – July | Absent | Common |
American Redstart | May – July | Absent | Uncommon |
Western Tanager | May – July | Absent | Common locally |
This shows us that the Baltimore Oriole and Western Tanager are summer breeders in Alberta that migrate away for winter. The American Restart also breeds in Alberta in summer but is less widespread. The Baltimore Oriole is the most abundant and widespread of these three orange breasted species.
Preferred Habitats
These birds occupy different breeding habitats in Alberta that match their nesting and feeding preferences:
- Baltimore Oriole – Open deciduous forests, riparian woodlands, treed parks and yards
- American Redstart – Dense shrubby riparian areas, wet thickets
- Western Tanager – Mature coniferous forests, mixed woodlands with conifers
So Baltimore Orioles and American Redstarts occur mainly near water in Alberta, while Western Tanagers are more associated with drier conifer and mixed forests. These habitat associations are useful identification clues.
Diet and Feeding Behavior
The foods eaten by these species also differ and can aid in identification:
- Baltimore Oriole – Insects, fruit, nectar; forages high in canopy
- American Redstart – Insects, some fruit; gleans from foliage low to ground
- Western Tanager – Insects, fruit; forages at all levels
Orioles feed on fruit and nectar more than the other species. Redstarts stay low in dense vegetation when feeding. Tanagers forage from the canopy down to the forest floor. Observing what and where these birds are eating is helpful for ID.
Nesting
These species have some notable differences when it comes to their nesting habits:
- Baltimore Oriole – Pensile nest hanging from branches
- American Redstart – Cup nest in dense shrub or sapling
- Western Tanager – Cup nest high in conifer tree
So oriole nests are very distinctive and redstart nests are well concealed in low vegetation. Tanager nests are high up and harder to spot. During the breeding season, their nest placement can be a helpful clue.
Vocalizations
The songs and calls of these birds also differ:
- Baltimore Oriole – Flutelike whistles and liquid chattering
- American Redstart – emphatic chirps, whistles, trills
- Western Tanager – Buzzing trills mixed with gurgling notes
Orioles have more melodious vocals compared to the emphatic chirps of redstarts and buzzier songs of tanagers. Listening for their distinct sounds can help identify them.
Conclusion
When observing orange breasted birds in Alberta, paying close attention to details like size, shape, habitat, behavior, nesting, and vocals will enable identification between Baltimore Orioles, American Redstarts, and Western Tanagers. Orioles are larger, melodious, and nest high in deciduous trees. Redstarts are tiny, active low in shrubs, and make emphatic calls. Tanagers are larger, buzzy singers that forage in conifers. Familiarity with their differences allows birders to accurately ID these species.