Orchard Oriole Icterus spurius
Flight call description A descending, burry "yeehr". In short flights also gives a low, husky "chhk", often doubled, and rarely a descending, whistled "heoo".
Fig.1. Alabama April 11, 1990 (WRE).
"Yeehr" call from perched bird.
Fig.2. Alabama April 11, 1990 (WRE).
"Chhk" call from perched bird.
Fig.3. Alabama April 11, 1990 (WRE).
"Heoo" call from perched bird.
Examples
Diurnal calling sequence:
1. Alabama April 11, 1990 (WRE). Variety of calls from perched bird.
Similar species "Yeehr" call generally lower than most calls of Rose-breasted Grosbeak, but some overlap may exist. "Chhk" call similar to Red-winged Blackbird but softer and harsher. "Heoo" call similar to some calls of Snow Bunting and Lapland and Chestnut-collared Longspurs but much longer.
Behavior Primarily a nocturnal migrant but engages in redetermined migration. Gives flight calls regularly while perched and in short flights during the day. Calls less frequently in longer flights. Not known to call in nocturnal migration.