Hooded Oriole
Icterus cucullatus
Rather slender, long-tailed oriole. Adult males are orange with a black mask and throat and obvious white shoulder patch. Variable color intensity: Eastern birds (from Texas to the Yucatan Peninsula) are brighter orange; Western birds are more yellow. Females are dull yellow with a grayish wash on the upperparts and sides. Immature males are similar to females, but brighter yellow and with a black throat. Occurs in open woodlands and scrub in the southwestern U.S. and Mexico. Often seen in parks and neighborhoods, with an affinity for palm trees. Visits feeders with nectar and fruits. Most similar to female Orchard Oriole, but note the longer, more decurved bill.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Icterus cucullatus
- Authority
- Swainson, 1827
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Icteridae
- Genus
- Icterus
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Complete migrants
Behavior
Diet<p>The hooded oriole's diet consists of insects, berries, and nectar. Hooded Orioles are acrobatic feeders, often hanging upside down to get the nectar from flowers and to catch their prey. This species feeds on a variety of insects, but may especially favor caterpillars, beetles, wasps, and ants. Hooded orioles forage for food slowly, gathering insects from foliage in the trees and feeding on berries, along with sometimes oranges or other citrus. They also probe flowers for nectar, and may take insects there as well. They are common visitors to insect and hummingbird feeders.<p>Voice<p>The song of the hooded oriole tends to be short and abrupt. The notes are rapid and lack the whistling nature of many other oriole species, and often sound nasal and whiny in nature. <p>There is a high amount of variation both geographically and individually within the song of the hooded oriole. Each male also sings many different types of songs. The hooded oriole has been known to include mimicry in its song, notably in Arizona some individuals have included the songs of the Gila Woodpecker and the Ash-throated Flycatcher.<p>Common calls of the hooded oriole include a whistled wheet or sweet sound. A chatter call is given as an alarm, somewhat similar to that of the Baltimore oriole or Bullock's oriole. The individual notes of the hooded oriole's chatter are given more quickly however, and it creates a shriller sound. Juveniles commonly give a soft chut and a harsher chuck or chet, however these have also been observed being given by adults.<p>Nesting<p>Males arrive at their nesting sites in the last weeks of March and set up breeding territories. The breeding season lasts from April to July in Texas, May to August in Arizona, April to mid-August in California, and May to August in Baja California. <p>Recent reports state that the nests are constructed and secured on the undersides of palms and banana plants. Location and structure materials vary geographically. Arizona nests are often made of grasses and located in taller trees. Meanwhile, California nests are made from palm fibers and located on the underside of palm plants. The hooded oriole's nest is basket shaped, and much deeper than its relatives.<p>Female hooded orioles lay a clutch of 3-5 eggs. The eggs are generally white, but can range into a pale blue with darker splotches. The eggs are incubated for 12-14 days, and the nestlings take about 14 days to fledge. This species is also commonly parasitized by the brown-headed cowbird and the bronzed cowbird.
Conservation
- Population trend
- rising
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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