Altamira Oriole - Estero Llano Grande, TX

We loved watching this Altamira Oriole at Estero Llano Grande State Park in Texas. The male showed bright orange plumage with a black throat and mask. It fed on a cut citrus fruit, which matches its diet of fruit, nectar, and insects. Altamira Orioles are common in the Rio Grande Valley during spring and summer. They often use feeders, making them easier to study in detail. A key identification feature is the slender, slightly curved bill along with white upper wing bar. A simialar bird is the Hooded Oriole which has a curved bill and white upper wingbars. A cool fact is they weave hanging nests by stitching plant fibers to leaves. Estero Llano Grande supports high bird diversity due to its mix of wetlands and forest. This site is part of the World Birding Center which has multiple location in Texas.