Golden Orioles circling behaviour

caernerch · #1 (**permalink**) 27-07-2011, 09:21 PM

Finally a bit of observed behaviour (new to us) from the Golden Orioles. We were out and about in the fields when we passed a small orchard allotment (prime Oriole country). The fruit trees had been well pruned and were quite open in the foliage with thick bare trunks right up to where the fruit hung (i.e. not much foliage cover). We saw two birds flying ahead of us and in behaviour they appeared to be woodpeckers, i.e. they flew from the ground, away from us and headed upwards to a tree trunk, but with no calling. They landed at an angle to it (poised head back like a woodpecker would) and then WALKED around the far side, keeping the trunks between us and them in a quite deliberate fashion. After we waited for a while, to our surprise, as they flew off, we saw they were a pair of orioles. We have often seen the back view of Orioles as they scarper at the speed of sound up into the foliage, but this is the first time we've seen them do the tree trunk trick.

I received this from my brother who lives in Poitou Charante, France. He likes wildlife and has good general knowledge. I've not heard of Golden O's doing this has anyone else?

Jonners · #2 (**permalink**) 27-07-2011, 10:19 PM

Flies like a woodpecker, climbs like a woodpecker, poses like a woodpecker.... I would reckon it's more likely to be a Green Woodpecker, as they can often look quite yellow on their backs.

htcdude · #3 (**permalink**) 28-07-2011, 07:34 AM

I agree with Jonners it sounds very much like Green Woodpeckers given the description, and as mentioned the yellow can stand out more than the green.

Nige

RoyW · #4 (**permalink**) 28-07-2011, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonners

Flies like a woodpecker, climbs like a woodpecker, poses like a woodpecker.... I would reckon it's more likely to be a Green Woodpecker, as they can often look quite yellow on their backs.

I also agree.

Nothing about the described behaviour make them sound like Golden Orioles I'm afraid.

Tringa · #5 (**permalink**) 29-07-2011, 10:37 AM

Yes, they could be green woodpeckers, but the report is from central western France where GOs are more common than in Britain and unless French green woodpeckers are different to those around me, I'm surprised there was no calling.

Around here GWs can't stay quiet.

Dave

aeshna5 · #6 (**permalink**) 29-07-2011, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tringa

Yes, they could be green woodpeckers, but the report is from central western France where GOs are more common than in Britain and unless French green woodpeckers are different to those around me, I'm surprised there was no calling.

Around here GWs can't stay quiet.

Dave

The behaviour described above is totally wrong for Golden Orioles. I know Green Woodpeckers are often very noisy, but other times they can be quiet. As suggested by others I'm sure the latter species is the true ID of the birds described.

caernerch · #7 (**permalink**) 30-07-2011, 07:18 PM

i'd have agreed straight away, except my brother has breeding GWP in the wood at the end of his garden & Golden O's are common locally. so far I'd give it 55-45 GWP. the no's have edged it.
thanks to you all.
I've suggested he joins WAB & WAE
Caernerch

Jonners · #8 (**permalink**) 31-07-2011, 03:35 PM

Unless........... perhaps everyone is correct. Maybe a couple of GWs flew into the tree and a pair of Golden Orioles flew out

.

caernerch · #9 (**permalink**) 02-08-2011, 02:03 PM

wouldn't be the first time that had happened - it had crossed my mind. also wouldn't be the first time i.d. ends up ?????. I'd be v. suspicious of anyone who could identify everything all the time. once again thanks to you all for your interest. great debate - I love this site, I keep telling my bro to sign up he's got the perfect qualifications - a curious nature and an enquiring mind.
regards
caernerch

ednaball · #10 (**permalink**) 05-08-2011, 07:01 PM

O.K. People... I finally joined this site. Maybe i should have posted this myself. The Go's and Gw's are garden birds to me.. I.e. i see them on a daily basis and some times as close as 6 feet away. the sightings in question were Golden orioles without question. The only thing that caused me to comment on them at all, was the distinctly woodpeckerish behaviour of these birds. As I say, I have watched Orioles for hours on end, or to be more acurate, mostly listened to them, as they are extremely evasive of humans, as I am sure all GO watchers will agree. All I want to know is... has anyone seen this tree circling in GOs before?...The answer appears to be 'No'. Thanks to all for your input.