Look who's back in town

A hooded oriole visited a hummingbird feeder in Mission Viejo, CA April 19, 2018 Photo by J.J. Meyer

Local birders have reported sightings of migrant orioles, which return to breed in Southern California during spring and summer. Hooded and Bullock’s orioles are the two most common species of orioles found in Orange County, although there have been rare sightings of Scott’s and orchard orioles in previous years.

Orioles are medium-size songbirds about 8 inches long with slender bodies and long legs and tails. They are coveted among backyard birders mostly because of their bright colors. Hooded and Bullock’s orioles are sexually dimorphic, with males being more brightly colored than females.

Hooded orioles are named for the orange hood of the male’s breeding plumage. Males have an entirely orange or orange-yellow head, nape, rump and underparts with a distinctive black bib and narrow mask. The tail is black. And wings are black with with two white wingbars. Females are mostly olive yellow with dusky gray wings and white wingbars. These birds have long, slightly curved bills.

Adult male Bullock’s are flame-orange with a neat line through the eye and a white wing patch; females are washed in gray and yellow. They have straight, pointed bills.

Only five percent of all avian families include nectar as an important part of their diet, making orioles part of an exclusive dining club. But these birds' diets includes more than nectar. Nectar-eaters must also consume essential amino acids and other nutrients. Orioles forage for spiders, caterpillars and other insects. Consider offering them mealworms in addition to orange slices and grape jelly. 

Visit local WildBird Unlimited stores, which carry a selection of feeders to keep orioles returning to your yard.

Happy Birding!
J.J.