Baltimore Oriole    Icterus galbula

Conservation Status

General Status in Canada : Secure

COSEWIC Status : Not assessed

The Baltimore Oriole has experienced slight declines in population numbers throughout its range since 1966, as documented by the North American Breeding Bird Survey (BBS). Reasons for the slight decline are unclear. This songbird is tolerant of human habitation and has adapted well to breeding in treed parks and suburban areas, and there is little concern for the long-term availability of breeding habitat. On its wintering grounds, this species would benefit from the conversion of sun grown coffee and cacoa plantations to shade grown plantations, thereby increasing the quantity and quality of available over-wintering habitat.

Some factors that limit populations on a year-to-year basis are severe weather and food abundance. Late winter storms or extreme drops in temperature can cause delays in breeding or high nestling mortality. During migration, Baltimore Orioles are commonly killed by collisions with stationary objects (e.g. buildings). Pesticide use may contribute to longer term population declines in certain areas. Further research into the effects of pesticide (e.g. the control of Dutch elm disease) or other insecticides (e.g. treatment of Gypsy moths (Lymantria dispar) and how they limit Baltimore Oriole populations is required.

Reference(s)

Rising, J. D., and N. J. Flood. 1998. Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula), The Birds of North America Online, . A. Poole, Ed. Ithaca: Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology; Retrieved from The Birds of North America Online database: http://bna.birds.cornell.edu/bna/species/384