A rare bird has found an unlikely home this winter, after flying the coop from its much warmer native climate.

A Bullock’s oriole is making himself at home in Cape Breton, half a continent away from its native Mexico and western United States.

The bird showed up out of nowhere last month, shortly after a wind storm, and has been spending its time in Susan King-Gosse’s backyard, in Whitney Pier, N.S. 

“I was very shocked and surprised,” says King-Gosse. “I took my camera and took some pictures of it, and realized it was an oriole.”

King-Gosse shared her photos with the American Birding Association, which confirmed it is a juvenile, male Bullock's oriole.

David McCorquodale, Dean of Science at Cape Breton University, is among the many local birders who have stopped by to catch a glimpse of a species never before seen on the island.

“As far as I'm aware, this is the very first one ever,” says McCorquodale. “It's a very rare bird in Eastern Canada. This is about the 12th record for Nova Scotia over the last 50 years.”

McCorquodale says the species typically migrates to Southern Mexico for the winter, but the oriole likely took a wrong turn.

“He probably wishes he was in Mexico right about now,” says King-Gosse.

Friday marked day 41 of the bird's unwitting winter vacation and its hosts are trying to keep it alive in a climate much harsher than it's used to.

The oriole has been spending the winter feasting on a bowl of grape jelly and a bag of grapes, in an attempt keep him nourished until he can fly back to his warmer home climate come springtime.

“I have every expectation it'll do fine over the next few weeks. Orioles can survive here. The key is getting enough food,” says McCorquodale.

“He's a costly bird,” says King-Gosse. “I don't know how many bottles of Smuckers Jam we've gone through.”

King-Gosse admits she is growing attached to the bird, but is also looking forward to the day he can fly home.

“We enjoy seeing him here for sure. He's a very pretty bird, but I have things to do! It's time to go,” laughs King-Gosse.

With files from CTV Atlantic's Ryan MacDonald