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P.S. In addition to an i.d., I'm hoping to get advice on how to help this bird survive the cold. I've been putting out nectar with 3 parts water to one part sugar to give it extra energy. I'm also grinding up sun dried gammarus baby shrimp and putting it with nectar in a separate feeder. I'm hoping someone can tell me if I'm doing the right things, and/or give me other suggestions.
Liam, I think you're right! The call sounds the same. I was able to take and upload some better photos that show a scattering of pink feathers on the face. Thanks so much for your help with the i.d.
florida33girl, allaboutbirds has a recording of Magnificent Hummingbird (beautiful bird!) calls. This bird doesn't sound quite like that. It sounds similar to a blue-throated hummingbird call with the really high pitched squeaks, http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/blue-....
Thanks so much for your comment!
I agree with 8BitFinch. This is an adult male Baltimore Oriole. It looks like you're within their winter range. Baltimore Orioles love orange halves, grape jelly, and nectar from oriole nectar feeders. They'll drink from hummingbird feeders if the holes are big enough. Nice picture and good for you for putting out food and water. The drought here in the Western U.S. is so hard on the birds!
Excellent picture! It's so hard to find one of these sitting still... and with the red spot visible! Nicely done.
I love Curve-billed Thrashers! They have so much character and such beautiful song. Thank you for sharing your picture!
You're welcome, Cindy! BTW, I really like your first picture. It has a lot of depth and texture.
It's a little hard to tell, but looks like it may be some type of mint. Are the stems square?
Sorry, should have included this: Festuca glauca
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Festuca_gla...