Update: March 15, 2003: added
a newly-received image from Feb 16 that shows the yellow at the
base of the outer tail:- the bottom image. Update: Feb 19,2002: New photos
from Feb 16, plus some comments, added at the bottom.
This Scott's Oriole (Icterus parisorum)
was observed and photographed by Elaine Webb in her back yard
in Rendon, Texas, located in southern Tarrant County south of
Fort Worth, and just east of I35W. Elaine wrote:
As I recall Sunday 26 January 2003 was a cold, gray day but
it was brightened enormously by a flash of yellow about 4:30 p.m.
when a Scott's Oriole came to visit my backyard. He visited the
orange suet feeder first then proceeded to the sunflower chip
feeder where he looked for only a moment as if to verify there
was nothing there for him then flew back to the suet. He stayed
so very briefly at the suet and then flew away and has unfortunately
not returned. My digital camera was convenient and I was able
to snap two photos of him before he left. The photos are taken
through my window as I was afraid opening the door might frighten
the bird away. The feeders are approximately 65' from my back
door.
This is a first Regional record for this species (subject
to review) - kudos to Elaine for knowing it was something special
and getting photos!:
NOTE: in the image below, the finch feeder (and thus the finches!)
is much closer to the camera than is the oriole:
Photos from Feb 16, 2003 (by
Martin Reid unless labelled otherwise); Points of interest include
the apparent lack of yellow in the base of the outer tail
feathers, and an apparent small blackish patch on the undertail
coverts:
Added March 15:
