Virginia’s Next Dozen Birds

Here we present to you, in descending order, Virginia’s Next Dozen as chosen by our voters. Naturally, it was always going to be a baker’s dozen. These species are presented in ranked order based on their weighted vote totals. Amazingly, two of these species have already been found between the close of voting and publication of this report!

1.

Pink-footed goose

Anser brachyrhynchus

(31/40 lists, 85 points)

Among the 40 respondents, the decided choice to be the next species found in Virginia is Pink-footed Goose. With scores of records in the Northeast, it is hardly a wonder that this species takes top spot for Virginia’s Next Dozen. This goose topped 14 out of 40 lists, by far more than any other bird, and it appeared on 31 lists, the second-most of any species (trailing only Golden-crowned Sparrow for that honor).

It spends the breeding season on rocky outcroppings in Greenland, Iceland, Svalbard, and northern Europe, then departs for coastal lowlands and agricultural fields in winter. It is during fall migration that some of these birds take a wrong turn at Iceland, and find themselves in North America. If there’s a reason to doubt that it is among Virginia’s next dozen, it would be that the farthest south on this continent the species has reached is central Delaware. It has a notable northern (and eastern) bias; Virginia so far has just been out of reach. Still, with the number of Canada and Snow Goose flocks to be scrutinized throughout Virginia, it is a good bet that this species will soon be found. 

It has been found in every state and province north and east of Virginia, with new records annually. There is no indication that the vagrancy of this species to the northeastern United States is slowing down—we just need one to travel a little farther south. November is when to start really looking, as there are no records south of Connecticut in October or earlier. November through February seems to be the sweet spot, as in March they start their retreat (though perhaps a bird that wintered south of us might show up in a migrating flock in March). By April they’ve really checked out, and May through September have practically no records. 

The strategy for finding one is simple: scour goose flocks! Birders in every part of the state have a shot at finding one, as Pink-footed Geese will fall in with Snow Goose flocks on the coast, or Canada Goose flocks elsewhere. Before heading out to sort through your next flock of geese, get familiar with that brown, velvety head, the bi-colored bill, and pink legs and feet that give the bird its name. It averages smaller than most Canada Geese, and is about the same size as a Snow Goose. Superficially the species resembles an immature Greater White-fronted Goose, but the head is a more uniform, richer brown, and—when seen well—the pink-and-dark bill should be a giveaway. When among Snow Geese, take a close look at the dark ones, as a Pink-footed could easily be passed off as a blue Snow Goose by the unprepared birder.

2.

TROPICAL KINGBIRD

Tyrannus melancholicus

(30/40 lists, 74 points)

Given the preponderance of records across eastern North America, it borders on the absurd that this bird has yet to be conclusively detected in Virginia. Certainly our respondents agreed, with Tropical Kingbird appearing on a majority of lists. Doubtless Virginia birders were partially swayed by the fact that this species may have already occurred in the state; a yellow-bellied kingbird photographed in southwestern Virginia Beach in November 2014 was either this species or Couch’s.

Even apart from this record, however, Tropical Kingbird is a strong contender for one of Virginia’s next dozen. Though the species occupies a relatively small U.S. range in southern Texas, it has an extensive pattern of vagrancy across the eastern part of the continent. Its wanderings are strongest in the Gulf states, with Texas (outside of the normal range), Louisiana, and Florida accounting for dozens of records. Florida even had a long-staying bird near Sarasota (affectionately nicknamed “Dot”) that produced hybrid offspring with a Gray Kingbird, and was eventually joined by a second Tropical. Away from the Gulf states, vagrancy becomes more sporadic but still quite regular. Tropical Kingbird has been recorded in 20 non-Gulf states/provinces in the East, ranging as far north as the Canadian Maritimes. Increasing the probability of this species being found, it seems to have a very wide seasonal window. Though November clearly appears to be the prime month, Tropical Kingbirds have been recorded away from the Gulf in every month except April. Apart from late fall, there seems to be a slightly weaker pattern for summer vagrancy, with numerous July and August records. Records are also heavily skewed towards recent years, with twenty-six eastern records (away from the Gulf) in the past five years. Taken together, all of these factors make this bird an obvious gap in Virginia’s avifauna!

Like other kingbirds, this species is conspicuous. It favors exposed, visible perches, including wires, which increases the detection probability if one is around. With its bright yellow belly and penchant for posting up, this is a bird likely to be detected by even casual birders. The biggest caveat is the difficulty in separating Tropical from Couch’s, a fact which explains why our only Tropical/Couch’s record remains unidentified. While there are some visible differences, particularly with bill size and structure, these species are notoriously difficult to conclusively separate without hearing the vocalization. If (or perhaps when!) one is found, it is a crapshoot whether many birders get to enjoy it; previous records from neighboring states seem to be a mixed bag of one-day wonders and longer-staying birds. A bird in Arkansas lingered from December 2019 all the way into March 2020, but this seems to be an exceptional occurrence. Regardless, photograph and audio-record any suspicious yellow-bellied kingbirds, and don’t sleep on chasing when this bird gets reported!

3.

GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW

Zonotrichia atricapilla

(35/40 lists, 64 points)

Sparrows are well represented on Virginia’s list, but this western Zonotrichia stands as a gaping hole. Golden-crowned Sparrow is a fairly regular eastern vagrant, with dozens of records east of the Mississippi. Its pattern does seem to skew somewhat more northeastern, with the vast majority of records coming from the Great Lakes, Northeast, and Maritime Canada. Among neighboring states, New Jersey has multiple records from Cape May as well as some elsewhere, while Maryland has recently had a second bird nearly a decade after notching its first record in late 2010. Though this species has a more modest showing in the Southeast, several states south of Virginia have records including Tennessee, Louisiana, and both Carolinas. The lone North Carolina record, from just last year, occurred in Currituck County, barely more than 40 miles from the Virginia border! Clearly, Virginia is overdue for this species, and our voters agreed. Though Pink-footed Goose emerged as the overall winner, Golden-crowned Sparrow actually received more raw votes than any other species (34). However, our voters seem to think that while Golden-crowned is bound to occur among the next dozen, it may not be in the immediate offing. Whether this is due to detectability issues—particularly with more nondescript juvenile birds—or actual doubts about how soon a vagrant will occur, this species ranked in comparatively few Top Threes. While Pink-footed Goose was the number one pick for fourteen voters, Golden-crowned only received three top votes, and only sixteen top threes. 

This species definitely seems to be a late fall or winter vagrant, so keep it on your radar beginning in November. Many of the birds in neighboring states have lingered for months, so there is a good chance that one in Virginia could likewise be a long-staying bird. A good number of the Mid-Atlantic and New England records are coastal, so the Eastern Shore or Virginia Beach could be a good bet for this species. With fewer White-crowned Sparrows around, a Golden-crowned is also more likely to attract notice in these areas. However, the large White-crowned flocks that are commonly encountered in the upper Piedmont ought not be ignored for this species, either. Though seeking this species among White-crowneds is only logical, it merits a mention that vagrant Golden-crowned Sparrows also seem prone to associating with White-throated Sparrows. Though it is tempting to write off the huge, often monotypic White-throat flocks that we encounter all winter throughout the state, picking through them could offer spoils to a diligent birder.

4.

MASKED BOOBY

Sula dactylacta

(29/40 lists, 49 points)

While we wondered whether one of the species on this list might turn up between voting and publication, we certainly never dreamed that two would! Yet that is exactly what happened when vacationer Corinna Wilson photographed a Masked Booby on the beach at First Landing State Park on October 14, just five days after the Virginia’s Warbler. Unfortunately, word of the sighting did not get out until almost a week later, and the bird seemed to be long gone by then, but this was nonetheless a spectacular find of a long-anticipated record! Twenty-nine voters listed Masked Booby among their picks, and seven correctly predicted that it would be the second new addition to the state list (though perhaps they expected to wait a bit longer).

Of the suite of species expected to first be discovered on a pelagic trip, none was nearly as highly anticipated as Masked Booby. This tropical sulid has shown a remarkable pattern of occurrence to offshore North Carolina, being recorded several times annually from mid-May through mid-October in recent years. Some trips from Cape Hatteras to the Gulf Stream even produce multiple birds! Further to our pelagic north (actually, approximately the same latitude as Fredericksburg), Maryland boasts a late August record from several miles beyond the shelf break. Massachusetts has four reports, all from along the shelf break in August and September. Bucking the trend of offshore records, New Jersey lays claim to three records of individuals seen from shore, one each from August, September, and October. Whether by sea watch or pelagic trip, it seemed imminent that this species would be discovered in Virginia. Even with near-shore birds accounting for some previous records, few probably guessed that when it eventually showed up, this bird would actually be standing on terra firma!

Identification of this large, black-and-white booby can be relatively straightforward with older individuals that show the distinctive white body, dark tail, white head, yellow bill, dark flight feathers, and white wing coverts. That said, young birds could pose an identification challenge with Brown Booby, so care should be taken to extensively document any young booby with photos and/or careful field notes. As it turned out, our first state record was a rather worn adult bird that seemed to be in rough shape. One hopes that perhaps this bird managed to rally and move on to greener pastures.

5.

VIRGINIA’S WARBLER

Leiothlypis virginiae

(26/40 lists, 31 points)

Congratulations to the twenty-six people who picked Virginia’s Warbler among their next dozen! High praise goes to Steve Johnson who was the only person to correctly predict it as the very next species added to the state list! 

We had speculated that during the time between asking for votes and finishing this report, at least one new species would be found. It seems fitting that it was Virginia’s first Virginia’s Warbler, found 9 October by Steve Keith. The circumstances of that discovery make this one memorable. The bird was found in a relatively random (and little-birded) city park in Virginia Beach that lacks extensive habitat associated with this species. But sure enough, it was found, photographed, and then missed by every other birder who tried to find it over the following days. This one will be remembered for a long time by many birders—at least until the next one shows up to dull the sting of this one-day appearance!  

Few would have expected that Virginia’s Warbler would have been beaten to Virginia by its little cousin Lucy—a fellow southwestern denizen—but that’s exactly how it happened when Ned Brinkley found the Lucy’s Warbler on New Year’s Eve 2016. Many of us knew Virginia’s Warbler would not be too far behind. 

With its wider range and a penchant for vagrancy—dozens of records across the East—it was always a head-scratcher that of these two drab little birds, Lucy’s beat Virginia’s to the Commonwealth. Any bets on which species happens a second time? Our money is on Virginia’s namesake!

6.

WESTERN MEADOWLARK

Sturnella neglecta

(19/40 lists, 30 points)

What do Virginia and Delaware have in common? They are the only states in the U.S. to not have a record of Western Meadowlark within their borders. That may sound unbelievable, but it is true. When it comes to overdue records, it would be hard to make a better case for any other species. Here it places sixth on our list, and that suggests that the birders who submitted predictions astutely note that this species is difficult to detect. Just under half of our 40 respondents believed this bird would be among the next dozen. Surely a Western Meadowlark has breached our borders, but one hasn’t decided to call or sing within earshot of a birder familiar with the differences between it and our regular and common Eastern Meadowlark. 

The visual differences between the two are subtle. For starters, Westerns are overall paler brown. This is due to less black in the centers of the flight feathers, appearing as thin black lines, and less black barring on certain feathers, leaving the rest of the feathers to be filled in with brown. Westerns show less white in the tail, and the difference in the black centers of the feathers is much more distinct here than any other feather group on the bird. Westerns also have a more plain, less-contrasting facial pattern, and the yellow of the throat extends upwards towards the face, into the malar region; a meadowlark that is yellow at the base of the lower mandible is almost certainly a Western. At the very least, it is a good candidate to fully scrutinize—and as a feature that is almost always in view on a perched bird, it might be the first hint that causes a birder to realize that they are looking at a Western. However, this latter field mark is variable, as some Westerns also have a pale malar region (whereas Easterns do not show yellow in this part of the face). All that said, these field marks are sometimes hard to see, are easily overlooked, and might not be reliable enough to establish ID. Another factor that makes detection difficult is the simple fact that many of us are used to seeing meadowlarks during our birding adventures, but how many of us stop to scrutinize every meadowlark we see? Indeed, it is likely that Virginia’s first Western Meadowlark will be identified by ear. Their songs are different. Our Easterns sing a higher-pitched, clearer song compared to the lower, descending song of the Western. Western’s song gurgles more, and has a more abrupt ending. But perhaps the most striking difference is the call. Westerns have a distinct, low, “bluck”-sounding call, often described as having a bell-like quality. Eastern doesn’t make a sound quite like it. 

Most of the records in nearby states come from May through July (surely owing to the birds being more vocal) but there are records in every month of the year. That said, November through February show only a few. It would certainly be more difficult to find one in those months, but not impossible. This is especially true for birders who have familiarized themselves with the calls and songs, and birders who look at a lot of Eastern Meadowlarks, knowing that when they see a Western, some of those tiny differences might appear a little less subtle. 

7.

LITTLE STINT

Calidris minuta

(19/40 lists, 28 points)

Little Stint is tops among the eight species of shorebird that made the Next Dozen, appearing on just about half of the lists submitted—with five respondents placing it in their top three. It is no wonder, with eBird showing about 40 records for eastern North America—with a heavy coastal bias—an appearance in Virginia seems like a good bet. 

This small northern Eurasian breeder is also a long-distance migrant, with wayward wanderers finding eastern North America at least forty times since 1980. These records are almost always discovered in July and August, and just a few in September (with eBird showing two late-June records, and one in November). In the East, only four out of the 40 records were inland (Ontario, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Illinois), so it is likely that Virginia’s well-birded coastal shorebird spots will be where one is discovered. Chincoteague or Craney Island would be the obvious spots to expect one, but anywhere that typically hosts shorebirds could be where it turns up. 

Little Stints are similar to Least Sandpiper in size, but the birds that are discovered in summer and early autumn usually retain enough breeding plumage that they stand out. They are pale-headed, with coloration on their face and upper-breast of perfectly toasted marshmallow, ranging toward strawberry blonde. Other differences are subtle, and the best advice would be to spend time looking at images of this species before heading to Chincoteague in July and August. 

8.

MEXICAN VIOLETEAR

Colibri thalassinus

(17/40 lists, 26 points)

At the outset of this report, we wondered which (if any) hummingbird species would gain traction among our voters. There were five species that seemed to have a claim (some stronger than others) to appear on the list, and indeed all five species made it on at least a few ballots. Yet we also wondered whether any would emerge as a clear winner; given Virginia’s past history with species like Violet-crowned and Rivoli’s, nearly any hummingbird could be in play, and perhaps “random hummingbird sp.” would have placed even higher had it been an option. We were quite surprised when an overwhelming consensus coalesced around this species, which beat its nearest competitor by a full eight votes! With seventeen votes, twenty-six points, and two number one picks, Mexican Violetear is clearly our voters’ favorite hummingbird pick.

This species occupies mountainous sections of southern Mexico and Central America through northern Nicaragua. It was formerly known as “Green Violetear” prior to a decision to split southern populations into a new species, Lesser Violetear. It is quite unlike any hummers likely to be encountered in eastern North America, with a brilliant emerald-green body and patches of shimmering blue-violet on the breast and “ear.” For a species that typically does not range particularly close to the United States, there are numerous records north of the border (and even a few north of the other border). Even more encouraging, at least from our perspective, this species skews heavily towards eastern vagrancy, with all but a small handful of records occurring well east of the Continental Divide. Unsurprisingly, it is most frequently recorded in Texas, where it could almost be described as a casual visitor. Though much rarer, records elsewhere are nonetheless numerous and widespread; of the twenty-eight states that are all or partially east of the Mississippi, fifteen have a record of Mexican Violetear (as do two Canadian provinces). Less encouragingly, there are relatively few recent records. Most seem to come from roughly 2003-2007, though Maryland’s record is from 2011. There are also two records from 2020, including one in western Tennessee, so perhaps this species is making another incursion. Almost without deviation, records fall within one of two time periods: July-August, or mid- to late-October. This species also seems less-prone to lingering, and a good number of records are one- or two-day wonders seen by few people. 

9.

PACIFIC GOLDEN-PLOVER

Pluvialis fulva

(18/40 lists, 23 points) 

Coming in at ninth place, this species was narrowly edged out by Little Stint as the highest placing shorebird, yet turned in a strong finish even so. Breeding in western Alaska and Siberia, Pacific Golden-Plover has a wintering range that spans both sides of the Pacific, with birds overwintering in both Southeast Asia and coastal California. East of the Mississippi this species is quite a find, with somewhere in the neighborhood of twenty records, the lion’s share of which come from Newfoundland. Away from the Maritimes, records are more concentrated in the Northeast, with four from Massachusetts alone as well as singles from Maine, Vermont, and Long Island. Undoubtedly this species advanced by leaps and bounds in Virginia birders’ minds after the extraordinary influx in 2020. This year witnessed an unprecedented four records in the East, including first state records for Pennsylvania and North Carolina! Whether Virginia will get in on any of this action — and whether this was a one-time event or part of a new trend — remains to be seen, but eighteen voters liked our chances. Identification of this species is tricky. Birds in breeding plumage are somewhat easier, with less white on the neck, patchy white flanks, and spots of white on the undertail coverts serving to differentiate from American. Nonetheless, these factors are at least somewhat subjective, and the breeding-plumage bird in North Carolina attracted a fair amount of controversy before the ID was settled. Non-breeding plumage is even trickier, with few reliable characteristics apart from shape and structure. Perhaps the best mark to distinguish from American is the shorter wings, which just barely project beyond the tail, but even this can be difficult to definitively observe. Timing is variable, though many of the eastern records do coincide with shorebird migration; most records seem to come from mid-July into August, with fewer from April or May. There are also a number of records from early September, so continue to scrutinize any golden-plovers as the fall wears on. 

10.

SLATY-BACKED GULL

Larus schistisagus

(13/40 lists, 18 points)

Top gull honors belong to Slaty-backed Gull, which appeared on thirteen lists, well ahead of the runner-up, Ivory Gull (which appeared on only four lists). Since the turn of the century, Slaty-backed has surely been on the minds of many birders. Starting somewhere around 2000, sightings of the species have exploded from the Great Lakes and the Northeast. While small numbers of this species have become expected in winter around the Great Lakes, reports away from that region are far fewer. Still, this big gull has been nearly annual in the Northeast over the past five years, with records from Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, New York, and a travelling bird seen in Massachusetts and Maine (as determined by careful study of individual plumage). What makes Virginia a bit of a longshot is that the species has not been found at (or below) our latitude since 2003 (with an exception of a bird near St. Louis in 2007). 

Gulling in Virginia has changed dramatically over the last decade or so. The steady erosion of access to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel islands was a blow to larophiles who relished the opportunity to slowly walk the islands’ edges, peering down on the gulls roosting on the boulders below. Also, many of Virginia’s landfills have changed the way they operate. Some have closed, and now exist only as transfer stations where the garbage is dumped, and then hauled away. Other landfills have restricted access to birders—and in some cases prohibited it entirely. But perhaps the biggest obstacle to finding concentrations of gulls to sort through is the gulls themselves. We just don’t have the massive numbers we had just a decade or so ago, with some populations declining at alarming rates. 

Another complication of finding a Slaty-backed Gull is that few birders spend their time scrutinizing the dark-mantled, four-year gulls. We don’t see as much bang for our birding buck looking for exceptionally rare species among them, opting instead to spend our time looking for species that are more likely to be found. There can be gold among those bigger gulls, and Slaty-backed is the mostly likely nugget to be found.

11.

Bronzed Cowbird

Molothrus aeneus

(14/40 lists, 15 points)

Though East Coast records north of Florida are still few and far between for this species, it has been gradually creeping up on Virginia birders’ radars. No doubt this has been bolstered by three recent records in North Carolina, including one as close as the Outer Banks. This species is largely a southwestern breeder, though there is a small breeding population in Louisiana and extreme southern Mississippi. More recently, Bronzed Cowbirds have begun colonizing southeastern Florida and have now gained a foothold as breeders in the Miami/Palm Beach area. This species’ U.S. range contracts substantially in winter, as most of the southwestern birds withdraw further south. However, it is a rare but regular winter visitor along the Gulf Coast, particularly around New Orleans, and also further east along the Gulf Coast and west Florida. Vagrant records include a few inland birds, including one near Memphis in 2017. There is a slightly stronger pattern for coastal vagrancy, with records from both Carolinas, and a few from the Northeast in Nova Scotia, Maine, and upstate New York. Encouragingly, most of the eastern records have occurred in the past decade, including all three North Carolina records (which occurred within the past year). For the most part, this seems to be a late fall or winter species, with extralimital records mostly concentrated between November and February. There does appear to also be a weaker spring pattern, with two Nova Scotia and the South Carolina record coming from April and May. Identification of this species is fairly straightforward, though this is complicated by the difficulty of sifting through large, constantly shifting cowbird flocks. Careful scanning for a cowbird lacking a brown head may be the best way to pick this species. There are size and structural differences as well, with Bronzed being a larger, stockier, and thicker-billed bird than Brown-headed. On an adult male, you may even glimpse the glossy purplish wings and tail or the thick ruff on the nape of the neck. On adult birds, the red eye can also be quite conspicuous. Though this species could conceivably turn up anywhere, the coast seems to be the best bet, so pay careful attention to large cowbird or mixed blackbird flocks there. Of course, it is also possible that this bird could turn up at someone’s feeder, as has been the case with all of the records from the Carolinas. Certainly a feeder bird ups the probability of detection substantially! 

12.

COMMON RINGED PLOVER

Charadrius hiaticula

(15/40 lists, 15 points)

This close, nearly identical-looking cousin of the seasonally abundant Semipalmated Plover has graced several other Atlantic states with a spike in eBird records since 2010 (one 2003 eBird record from Maine predates 2010, and one additional record from Massachusetts in 1990 has not made it into eBird). The geographic spread of records ranges from as far south as the Outer Banks of North Carolina (2 records) north through the Canadian Maritimes, placing Virginia squarely within the “expected” range for this vagrant. Whether this recent uptick in records is due to an actual increase in occurrence of this species or to increased detection is unclear, although it seems likely that the latter has more to do with it given the complexity of the identification. There is precedent for both spring and fall records, with the latter season claiming about 80% of sightings. The spring window seems to encompass the back half of May, coinciding with peak shorebird migration. Fall records are spread more widely between mid-August and mid-October.

Dialing in on the specific geographic precedent, the vast majority of records come from immediate coastal areas, though one inland Illinois record and four records from lakes and rivers in Quebec, Ontario, and Vermont are worth mentioning. Despite the clear coastal bias, it seems likely that Virginia’s first record will come from wherever Semipalmated Plovers are most heavily scrutinized, not necessarily where the most are found. That said, Craney Island, Chincoteague, or Back Bay seem likely candidates to host this species given their coastal location and history of hosting shorebird rarities.

Unlike some of the flashier species on this list, Common Ringed Plover is not likely to stick out of a crowd of similar-looking birds, except to the careful and prepared observer. Given the complexity of this identification and the similarity of this species to Semipalmated Plover, any record should be documented as well as possible by a combination of extensive field notes, photos, and audio recordings. When scanning through a flock of Semipalmated Plovers, keep a keen eye out for any birds that appear larger or paler and give them additional scrutiny. With shorebirds it can be tempting to focus only on visual cues, but doing so would rule out an important clue to the presence of a Common Ringed Plover, which gives off a rich “poo-ii” call that readily distinguishes it from Semipalmated Plover’s thinner call. The plumage details, however, are critical for separation from Semipalm. While some features fit for all ages, the first step with an interesting plover in the fall is to determine whether it is an adult or juvenile. Field marks common across all ages are: Common Ringed lacks semi-palmation between the inner and middle toes; is slightly larger and bulkier; has a thinner based of the bill; has a larger and blockier head; and has a dark (not yellow) orbital ring. Juveniles are identified by the heavy white fringing to the crown and upper back; unsubstantial, pale buffy connection between sides of the incomplete breast band; indistinct borders to supercilium and forehead patch; entirely dark bill; dark lores reaching down to the gape; and white fringes to incomplete breast band. Adults in breeding plumage sport a distinct white patch behind the eye, which Semipalmated show too but much less distinctly. They also have a bolder breast band, but beware that in both species, females show weaker breast bands and males bolder, and there is overlap. The black eye patch on Common Ringed reaches past the auriculars to the nape.

13.

HOODED ORIOLE

Icterus cucullatus

(10/40 lists, 14 points)

With a couple dozen records of this oriole east of its core range, and a majority of those reports coming in the last decade, it is no surprise that this species finished thirteenth on our list. These factors make this a solid pick. What is curious, however, is the large gap in sightings from not just Virginia, but a large area around Virginia. The nearest records are from southern North Carolina and central Ohio. West-central Tennessee boasts two records, but north and east of Virginia, the species is absent from the US, with the next records showing up in Ontario, Quebec, and Nova Scotia. It is weird to see a vagrant with an eastern distribution that doesn’t include New England, New York, and the Middle Atlantic. 

Spring accounts for about two-thirds of the records for this species, with May being by far the month with the most occurrences. Fall records don’t begin until November (there are zero reports east of Texas in September or October), and the number of reports is modest from November through March, with about half coming from the Gulf coast. 

Many of these waifs will find themselves on oriole feeders, which does raise the odds of detection a bit. Another bonus is that unmistakable adult males represent many of the eastern records. For those who have oriole feeders, being familiar with and keeping an eye out for this species is a must!