Oriolus sagittatus

Olive-backed Oriole at Symonston, ACT

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Identification history

	Oriolus sagittatus	14 Jun 2021	Liam.m
	Oriolus sagittatus	14 Jun 2021	rawshorty

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User's notes

8 birds in the same tree. The largest flock of these i have seen, prior to this was 4 birds at my place on 9 June 2014.

5 comments

natureguy wrote:

15 Jun 2021

This is a very high count in general, let alone during winter. I usually only see singles or pairs, occasionally up to 4. The last bird looks like an immature, so potentially late breeding. Maybe they are hanging around Callum Brae as I heard one there when I went to see the Swift Parrots in early May.

rawshorty wrote:

15 Jun 2021

Yes it shocked me Luke. There were 4 adults and 4 immature birds but they didn't stay in the tree for long before flying of together in a Northerly direction so perhaps they may overwinter or are just late migrators. I have seen them at my place during Winter for many Years now so they do stay in the area during Winter.

natureguy wrote:

15 Jun 2021

Yes, I am aware that they stay through winter in smaller numbers. I feel that they are often unnoticed too as they are not calling. In fact most times I see them I am first alerted by their call, so maybe they are more regular in winter than the records suggest. Still, your record is quite extraordinary.

rawshorty wrote:

15 Jun 2021

Luke, i live near Callum Brae so i was referring to a localized area not just the Canberra area, i am sure you are aware of the fact they stay through winter in Canberra ;) They do call on occasion through winter but it is mostly mimicry, they do some amazing calls, i must record them some time.

natureguy wrote:

16 Jun 2021

Oh, sorry I didn't realise you were referring to your local area, haha my bad. Yes, they have an amazing variety of calls, very interesting to listen to.

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