Associated Species: Other species that may use habitats in a similar way and/or respond similarly to threats, management, and conservation activities include Ferruginous Hawk, Mourning Dove, Cassin's Kingbird, Gray Vireo, Northern Mockingbird, Western Meadowlark, and Black-throated Sparrow.

Distribution: Scott's Orioles breed from central Nevada and Utah and western Colorado south into Mexico. In Colorado, Scott's Orioles are extremely localized and insecure. The Atlas project confirmed nesting at the western edges of Montezuma, Mesa, and Garfield counties (Kingery 1998). They have historically occurred in western Rio Blanco County as well. They winter in Mexico and Central America.

Habitat Requirements: Scott's Orioles, like Gray Vireos, nest at the lowest elevations of pinyon-juniper woodlands, where junipers create a savannah with herbaceous vegetation and desert shrubs. Tree density is less than 150 trees per ha (60 trees per ac).

Ecology: These orioles arrive in Colorado in the first week of May and soon begin building their nests in juniper trees. The incubation and nestling period is 28 days. The documented span of nesting activity in Colorado is May 31 to July 7. They feed on fruit and at nectar feeders in the Southwest, but their food preference in Colorado is unknown. Young are fed regurgitated food first and then whole food (insects and fruits) after five days.

Management Issues and Conservation Recommendations: Brown-headed Cowbirds parasitize Scott's Oriole nests. Provide Scott's Oriole's nesting areas regular spring/summer rest from livestock grazing to reduce nest parasitism by Brown-headed Cowbirds.

Full suppression is likely the appropriate prescription for fire management in Scott's Oriole habitat; however, prescribed fires may create habitat by opening dense stands. Scott's Oriole's limited range suggests a need to limit congested recreation activities.

Status and Reasons for Concern: The Colorado Plateau has a high responsibility for this species. Colorado supports the Arizona Partners in Flight designation of this species as a priority species. It is a peripheral species in Colorado, but one that is especially attractive to birdwatchers in this state and is vulnerable to habitat change. The Colorado periphery represents a distinct monitoring opportunity for the entire species, whose range can be expected to expand or contract proportionate to the population. Scott's Orioles also represent the needs of species in scattered, open juniper woodlands at the edge of desert shrubland. They have not been detected on BBS routes in Colorado. The BBS results for 1969-1996 for Physiographic Area 87 do not show a statistically significant annual rate of change (P = 0.15, n = 26 routes). This species is monitored by MCB with a statewide census.

Biological Objective: Maintain or increase the species' distribution and abundance, based upon results of MCB. Maintain at least 20 pairs in Mesa, Montezuma, and northwestern counties.

Selected References: Andrews and Righter 1992, Kingery 1998.