#baltimoreoriole

Phenotype and the influence of the environment: Phenotype is the visible result of a creature’s genotype as it is influenced by the environment. The various oriole species are interesting as they interact so closely with one another in regions where their populations overlap. The Edwards plateau is a region in which the scotts, bullock and Baltimore oriole populations coincide. This overlap results in a hybridization between the oriole species. Take for example the Baltimore oriole and the bullocks oriole, which are especially close to the point where they often hybridize. Not only were they once considered the same species (formerly known as northern oriole), additional research has shown that oriole species are regressing in appearance to their ancestral patterning. That is to say the different species are looking more and more like each other.

My second scientific illustration piece with regards to orioles. In this work I not only examined the Baltimore oriole but also the Scotts and Bullock oriole. to explore how they interact and how they are influenced by their environment i chose to depict them in their Edward plateau Texas habitat.

This bird landed atop an oak tree at the edge of the forest overlooking my backyard while Charlie and I were sitting outside this morning. It was way off and initially, without looking at the photos I thought "thrasher." However, after looking at the photos I thought it was a pine warbler (Setophaga pinus). I noticed though that it lacks the distinctive eye ring. So, I settled on juvenile Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula). What do you think?

My gallery contains more that 700 images that I've chosen to share. Most are there for their visual appeal but there are a few novelty images. You can check out my gallery at:

Baltimore Oriole at the pool ,Central park.

From: Baird, Spencer Fullerton.  A history of North American birds. Boston : Little, Brown, 1875