SIERRA NEVADA BIRDS – FEATHERS IN THE RANGE OF LIGHT Blog Post #19

California’s “Range of Light” is home to a diverse array of both colorful and cryptic birds (the feathers). It is my intent to use my passion for birds and photography to paint a story about 120 of the most common or most sought-after Sierra Nevada (Range of Light) birds by most nature enthusiasts.

Sierra Nevada Birds – Feathers in the Range of Light is a Reflections of the Natural World Blog Post Series by Jim Gain

WHAT’S IN A NAME

Bullock’s Oriole – Icterus bullockii
Name Roots: (Gr. ikteros, “jaundice, yellow” –  for William Bullock)

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Bullock’s orioles are sexually dimorphic, with males being more brightly colored than females. In addition, adult males tend to be slightly larger and heavier than females. Adult males are characterized by strongly contrasting orange and black plumage, a black throat patch, and a white wing bar. The underparts, breast, and face are orange or yellow; by contrast, the back, wings, and tail are black. A black line extends from each eye to the black crown. 

Adult females, by contrast, have gray-brown upperparts, duller yellow on the breast and underparts, and an olive crown. Some females may also have a dark throat patch, similar to (but less extensive than) the one found in adult males; in all cases, females lack the black eye-line present in adult males.

DISTRIBUTION & OCCURENCE IN THE SIERRA NEVADA

The Bullock’s Oriole is a Fairly Common Summer Visitor of the Sierra Nevada in the Foothill Woodlands & Lower Montane biotic zone.

CONSERVATION STATUS – IUCN Red List Category

The Bullock’s Oriole is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN.

Redlist Classification Justification: This species has an extremely large range, the population trend appears to be stable, and the population size is extremely large. For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern. (DataZone BUOR Link)

PLAYING WITH PHOTOSHOP – Dry Brush Filter