 Breeding evidence |
 Relative abundance |
 Probability of observation |
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Click on plot to view table of mean abundance
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Number of squares
Long-term BBS trends
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5.44 (1.65 - 9.04)|
Mean abundance (number of birds detected per 5 min. point count) and percentage of squares occupied by region Bird Conservation Regions [abund. plot]
[%squares plot]
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Atlas Results
Orchard Orioles were observed in 101 squares and confirmed breeding in 16, a pleasant surprise for this relatively uncommon breeder. The distribution of Orchard Oriole observations closely follows the range illustrated in the Birds of Saskatchewan. Sightings predominantly occurred in the southeastern corner of the province, reaching north near Saskatoon and as far west as Val Marie. The highest density was found in the southern part of the Moist Mixed Grassland ecoregion, where they take advantage of treed yard sites, shelterbelts, and aspen bluffs. Sightings in Val Marie in 2017, 2020, and 2021 suggest they may have become established in the area, although no evidence of breeding beyond singing males was observed.
Excerpts Adapted from the Birds of Saskatchewan:
For those familiar with the Baltimore Oriole, the Orchard Oriole is a most "unoriole-like? bird. Even its rambling song is more like that of a Purple Finch than an oriole. Arriving late and leaving early, the Orchard Oriole is truly one of the most "tropical? of our migrant visitors. It breeds across the eastern US into central Mexico and winters from southern Mexico to northwest South America.
Orchard Orioles nest in stands (sometimes surprisingly small) of mature Manitoba maple, American elm, green ash, cottonwood, and other deciduous trees, as well as spruce, in shelterbelts, farmsteads, towns, and river valleys. They also nest in aspen bluffs within cultivated fields or pastures (Luterbach 1999a).
Since the first bird for the province was recorded in June 1972 (Belcher 1980), the Orchard Oriole has now become an uncommon but regular breeder in the Souris and Qu'Appelle Valleys and tributaries as well as in some parks and towns south of the Qu'Appelle. To the north and west of the Qu'Appelle and Souris Valleys it remains rare, local, and sporadic.
Original text by Stan Shadick. Text adapted by Daniel J. Sawatzky
Read more about the Orchard Oriole in the Birds of Saskatchewan here.
Recommended citation: Latremouille, L. M. 2025. Orchard Oriole in Latremouille, L. M., S. L. Van Wilgenburg, C. B. Jardine, D. Lepage, A. R. Couturier, D. Evans, D. Iles, and K. L. Drake (eds.). 2025. The Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Saskatchewan, 2017-2021. Birds Canada. Saskatoon, Saskatchewan https://sk.birdatlas.ca/accounts/speciesaccount.jsp?sp=OROR&lang=en [14 Nov 2025]
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