Bird field guide · New World Blackbirds and Orioles

Photographing the Altamira Oriole

How to photograph the Altamira Oriole (Icterus gularis): the right lens for its size, shutter speeds for perched and moving animals, and when it's most often seen (January, February, March and April).

17–45 cm1/2500–1/3200 s
17–45 cm
Typical length (family range)
1/800 s
Shutter: perched / still
1/2500–1/3200 s
Shutter: action / flight
f/5.6–f/7.1
Aperture
11,067
Research-grade sightings in N. America
ModeManual + Auto ISOLock shutter & aperture, let ISO float
Shutter (still)1/800 s
Shutter (action)1/2500–1/3200 s
Aperturef/5.6–f/7.1
FocusAF-C + subject/eye detectionBird-eye AF with continuous focus (AF-C/AI Servo); fill at least a third of the frame.
DriveHigh-speed burst
Lens300–500 mmFull-frame equivalent

Focal length needed to frame it#

For a subject about 31 cm long filling a third or half of the frame width horizontally.

Distance⅓ of frame (FF)½ of frame (FF)⅓ of frame (APS-C)⅓ of frame (MFT)
5 m (16 ft)185 mm274 mm123 mm92 mm
10 m (33 ft)369 mm549 mm246 mm185 mm
15 m (49 ft)554 mm823 mm369 mm277 mm
20 m (66 ft)738 mm1,098 mm492 mm369 mm
30 m (98 ft)1,107 mm1,646 mm738 mm554 mm
50 m (164 ft)1,845 mm2,744 mm1,230 mm923 mm

When to find it#

Jan: 11% Jan Feb: 12% Feb Mar: 13% Mar Apr: 14% Apr May: 10% May Jun: 6% Jun Jul: 5% Jul Aug: 3% Aug Sep: 4% Sep Oct: 6% Oct Nov: 8% Nov Dec: 9% Dec
Share of iNaturalist observations by month across North America. Peak months: January, February, March and April.

About the Altamira Oriole#

The Altamira oriole (Icterus gularis) is a New World oriole. The bird is widespread in subtropical lowlands of the Mexican Gulf Coast and northern Central America, the Pacific coast and inland. They have since spread to southern Texas, but this was not until 1939.

Summary adapted from Wikipedia via iNaturalist (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Field-craft tips#

  • Marsh blackbirds display on cattails in spring.
  • Bird-eye AF with continuous focus (AF-C/AI Servo); fill at least a third of the frame.
  • Sightings peak in January, February, March and April, which is when you'll have the most chances.

Ethics#

  • The welfare of the animal comes first: if it changes its behaviour because of you, you are too close.
  • Stay on trails, respect closures around nests, leks, dens and haul-outs.
  • Avoid playback and baiting in sensitive seasons; never bait predators.
  • Don't share precise locations of rare, nesting or roosting animals publicly.

More New World Blackbirds and Orioles#

Red-winged Blackbird Red-winged BlackbirdAgelaius phoeniceus Great-tailed Grackle Great-tailed GrackleQuiscalus mexicanus Common GrackleQuiscalus quiscula Brown-headed Cowbird Brown-headed CowbirdMolothrus ater Baltimore Oriole Baltimore OrioleIcterus galbula Brewer's Blackbird Brewer's BlackbirdEuphagus cyanocephalus Boat-tailed Grackle Boat-tailed GrackleQuiscalus major Hooded Oriole Hooded OrioleIcterus cucullatus

Frequently asked questions#

What lens do I need to photograph an Altamira Oriole?

At about 31 cm long, an altamira oriole fills a third of a full-frame image at 10 m with roughly 369 mm, or at 20 m with 738 mm.

What shutter speed should I use for an Altamira Oriole?

1/800 s when it's still; 1/2500–1/3200 s for action.

When is the best time to photograph a Altamira Oriole?

Observations in North America peak in January, February, March and April. Early morning and late afternoon give the best light and activity.

Sources & licences#

Last updated October 03, 2026 · How we calculate · Sources