“Birds have wings” is the saying. Birds show up in remarkable places, and we don’t always understand why or how. Some patterns of vagrancy are slowly becoming more clear- moving North instead of South, traveling to an unexpected area with a related species, or tossed by a storm. Other incidences, like the recent appearance of a Black-backed Oriole (Icterus abeillei) in Pennsylvania, are harder to explain. Normally found in tropical Mexico, this individual bird shows none of the feather or foot damage normally associated with caging or transport, and isn’t a species normally held in captivity. At Code5, we welcome such a vibrant visitor and celebrate our opportunity to see it in this country!
We made two shirts for this bird, one plain (here!), and one with a supportive message for all of our travelers (here!).