The oriole is a beautiful songbird found in many parts of North America. Orioles are medium-sized birds known for their bright orange and black plumage. There are a few different species of oriole in North America, each with a distinctive appearance and range. Determining what state the oriole is the official bird of requires looking at the different oriole species and their distributions across the United States.
Baltimore Oriole
The Baltimore oriole is one of the most widespread and recognizable oriole species in North America. It has a black head and back with bright orange underparts. The male has a striking black and orange pattern, while females are duller with a washed-out orange color. Baltimore orioles breed in open woodlands across much of the eastern and central United States. Their breeding range stretches from Ontario and Maine in the north down to the Gulf Coast and west to the Great Plains. During winter, Baltimore orioles migrate to Florida, Central America, and northern South America.
The Baltimore oriole is the state bird of Maryland. It was designated the official state bird of Maryland in 1947 due to its bright coloring similar to the coat of arms of Lord Baltimore. Lord Baltimore was the founder of the Maryland colony in the 17th century. The Baltimore oriole is a proud symbol of the state and appears on everything from state parks signs to the distinctive Maryland state flag.
Bullock’s Oriole
Bullock’s oriole is a related species found in western North America. The adult male has a bright orange body with a black throat, face, and crown. Females are more yellowish in coloration. Bullock’s orioles breed from western Canada south to northern Mexico and east to the Rocky Mountains. They winter in Mexico. The Bullock’s oriole is the state bird of New Mexico. It was adopted as the state symbol of New Mexico in 1949 as an attractive representation of the state’s natural heritage. Bullock’s orioles can be found throughout New Mexico during the breeding season and their melodic songs echo across the state each summer.
Scott’s Oriole
Scott’s oriole is a smaller oriole species found in the southwestern United States. The adult male is yellow with a black head and central tail feathers. Females are dull yellow with darker wings and tail. Scott’s orioles breed in arid habitats of the Southwest and Great Basin. Their range stretches from southern California and southern Nevada south to Baja California, Mexico. Most Scott’s orioles winter in Mexico. This striking oriole species has orange-yellow plumage well-suited to represent the bright desert landscapes of its southwestern home. However, Scott’s oriole is not currently designated as an official state bird for any of the southwestern states it inhabits.
Orchard Oriole
The orchard oriole is a widespread species found in deciduous forests, river valleys, and open woodlands of eastern and central North America. These small orioles have chestnut bodies and black heads. Males have a black hood that contrasts sharply with the brilliant reddish-orange underparts. Females are olive green above with yellowish underparts. Orchard orioles breed from the Great Lakes and New England south to the Gulf Coast, and west to eastern Texas and the Great Plains. They winter in Florida, Mexico, and Central America. Despite their broad range and the male’s bright plumage, the orchard oriole has not been named the official bird of any U.S. state.
Hooded Oriole
The hooded oriole is found in the southwestern United States and Mexico. The adult male has a striking orange body contrasting with a black hood, wings, and tail. Females are yellow-green above with yellow underparts. Hooded orioles breed in riparian woodlands, groves, and palm oases of the Southwest. Their range extends from southeastern California and southern Nevada to western Texas. Hooded orioles winter in central Mexico. Like Scott’s oriole, the hooded oriole inhabits the desert regions of the Southwest but has not been chosen as the representative state bird for any of those states.
Altamira Oriole
The Altamira oriole is a species found along the Texas Gulf Coast. It has a bright orange body with black on the head, wings, and tail. Altamira orioles breed in mature riparian woods, citrus groves, and urban areas with large trees. Their small U.S. range is limited to the lower Rio Grande Valley of south Texas. Altamira orioles also occur farther south in northeastern Mexico. They form large wintering flocks along the Gulf Coast of Mexico. The limited U.S. range of the Altamira oriole prevents it from being the official state bird of Texas. However, it still represents the natural heritage of the Lone Star State’s southernmost region.
Audubon’s Oriole
Audubon’s oriole inhabits riparian woodlands in southwestern Arizona, southern New Mexico, and northern Mexico. The male has a yellow body contrasting with a black head, wings, and central tail feathers. Females are dull greenish-yellow overall. Audubon’s orioles breed in cottonwood and willow groves along streams and rivers. Their range is limited to the southwestern corner of Arizona, the southern half of New Mexico, and adjacent northern Mexico. Most Audubon’s orioles migrate south into central Mexico for winter. Like the other southwestern U.S. species, Audubon’s oriole has a limited range that prevents it from being a representative state symbol. However, it still brightens its desert riparian habitats with its lemon-yellow male plumage.
Which State Has the Oriole as Its Bird?
Of all the oriole species found in North America, the only one officially designated as a U.S. state bird is the Baltimore oriole. The colorful Baltimore oriole is the proud state bird of Maryland where it breeds abundantly each summer. Maryland selected the iconic Baltimore oriole to represent the state in 1947 both for its bright plumage and connection to the colony’s founder Lord Baltimore.
While other oriole species occur across North America, from the east coast to the southwestern U.S., the Baltimore oriole remains the sole representative as an official state symbol. The Bullock’s oriole was selected as the state bird of New Mexico in 1949, highlighting its natural heritage in the Southwest. No other U.S. state has designated an oriole species as their official state bird. However, the widespread Baltimore oriole continues to stand as a symbol of Maryland as the one state honoring an oriole as its avian emblem.
Conclusion
Orioles are a group of striking songbirds known for their colorful plumage and melodious songs. Of the North American oriole species, only the Baltimore oriole holds the distinction of being named an official state bird. In 1947, Maryland designated the Baltimore oriole as the state bird due to its bright orange and black feathers similar to the coat of arms of the colony’s founder. Though orioles inhabit much of the United States and southwestern Canada during the breeding season, no other states have selected an oriole as their avian symbol. The Baltimore oriole remains unique as the bird proudly representing the state of Maryland.