Like a juvenile Baltimore oriole, but with an orange beak and legs

by Shoe
(Northern Virginia)

like a juvenile Baltimore oriole with orange beak

This bird is definitely yellow, not orange. The markings look to me pretty much like a juvenile Baltimore oriole. Except that its beak, legs, and feet are orange. You can see this in the snapshot.

Yellow belly and back, black and white wings, greyish yellow head. Black eyes.

Apologies for the low quality of the photo, it was taken very quickly, through the window, with a bit of reflection of the curtain on the window.

Do Baltimore orioles ever have orange beaks and legs? And if not, then what is this bird? It is alone in my yard, and keeps pecking at its reflection in my windows.

The yard is at the edge of the woods, with a large, slow-moving creek. I add that in case it makes a difference. :)

Comments for Like a juvenile Baltimore oriole, but with an orange beak and legs

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Apr 30, 2017

Seems like same bird I saw today 4/30/17 NEW
by: Wisconsin Birder

Bird was slightly larger than American Goldfinch, but from viewing angle, I could only see lower body and face as I was slightly below eyelevel. Bill was orange, similar to finch, body front and belly were pastel yellow (like sweetcorn) yellow faded into light grey toward wing top?

Jun 14, 2015

Same here in Hockessin, DE!
by: Anonymous

Had one of these last year and just saw it again today. Don't know if it is the same bird or not. Always alone and pecking on my kitchen window or clasping to the screen at another window. I love watching it!

Jul 06, 2014

Same bird here in NJ
by: Cass

We have the same little yellow bird here in NJ. It has orange legs and beak. He is very small and this is the first pic that I have found that is very similar to him. What type of bird ins this? He is def a bright yellow too...

Aug 19, 2012

Mine is quite tiny.
by: Shoe

Hello to the person with a bird that looks like this bird in Oregon.

Mine is very small. Definitely not too big for a finch. If yours is larger, maybe our birds look similar, but in fact are different.

Aug 19, 2012

I would also like to know
by: Anonymous

I commented about seeing the same bird in Oregon. I don't think it is a finch because it is not eating seed. Also, it is much larger that a finch, although similar coloring. It is always alone. I am wondering if it is an oriole that has a genetic mutation that caused it's beak to be orange and therefore was ostracized and left behind by the other bullocks orioles (very similar in coloring to orchard orioles). All of the other orioles have left our property to start their migration. I have sent a message to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology this question. I will let you know what I hear back.

Aug 13, 2012

American Goldfinch, I think
by: Shoe

I am pretty sure it is an American Goldfinch. This is the only one that has all the coloration bits. Some of the other suggestions are interesting, but there are little conflicts in descriptions.

Shoe

Aug 13, 2012

I would also like to know
by: Anonymous

I just saw this exact type of bird in our garden this morning, and I don't believe it is an orchard oriole. It did not drink from our humming bird feeders like the other orioles do when visiting. I also can't find one picture of an orchard oriole that has the orange beak, legs, and feet. If you figure out what this is then please let me know.
Jackie from Oregon

Jul 26, 2012

oriole
by: Anonymous

this is a female orchard oriole

Jul 10, 2012

What about American Goldfinch?
by: Shoe

Hi Susan,

Thanks for the suggestion. I just looked up the scarlet tanager. They do look a lot like this one. Except the scarlet tanager doesn't see to have orange beaks, legs, and feet. And this one does. I tried to get a better picture today, but was not successful. Nonetheless, take my word for it, beak, legs, and feet are all orange, not orange/brown.

So, I saw that the American goldfinch juvenile has orange beaks, etc. Anyone think it could be a juvenile American goldfinch?

Jul 10, 2012

Scarlet Tanager
by: Susan

Possibly a Scarlet Tanager.

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