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Breeding Range. (Fig. 156). Fairly common in the southern half of the Agassiz Lake Plain Region, on the Southern Drift Plain, in the southeastern halves of the Missouri Coteau and Coteau Slope, and on the Missouri Slope and Little Missouri Slope; uncommon and local in the northern half of the Agassiz Lake Plain Region, on the Northeastern and Northwestern Drift Plains, and in the northwestern halves of the Missouri Coteau and Coteau Slope.

Breeding Habitat. Residential areas of towns and farmsteads, particularly those with established plantings of ornamental shrubs, trees etc.; shelterbelts; and partially wooded stream valleys.

Nesting. Probable breeding season: Late May to early August; peak, early June to mid-July. Active nests were recorded on May 21 [1972] in Billings County (J. T. Lokemoen), on June 4 [1921] in Burleigh County (Wood 1923), on June 24 [1972] in Barnes County (S. F. Johnson), on June 30 [1931] in Stutsman County (Johnson 1932), and on July 3 [1974] at Fargo (E. G. Anderson). The nest in Barnes County contained four eggs and one newly hatched young; it was located in an open growth of young trees, chiefly green ash, and was situated about 5 feet above the ground in an American elm. Adults with dependent young were observed on July 15 [1969] in Stutsman County (L. C. Haynes), and on July 31 [1893] in Stutsman County (A. K. Fisher). A territorial male in full song was recorded on the late date of August 4 [1971] in Stutsman County (RES).

Figure 156. Breeding Range of Orchard Oriole.