BREEDING BIRDS: NORTHERN ORIOLE

NORTHERN ORIOLE

(Icterus galbula)

Description: Was once considered two species: the Baltimore Oriole in the east and Bullock’s Oriole in the west. Is actually one species with different markings. In the East, adult males have a black hood and upper back, with a bright orange rump and underparts; tail is black with patches of orange. In the West, adult males have large white wing patches, an orange face and black eye line. Eastern adult female is brownish-olive above; head and breast is pale yellow; belly is white. Adult female in the West is similar but has dull orange underparts and pale orange belly.

Habitat: Suburban shade trees, woodlands, open and riparian woodland.

Diet: Insects, fruit and nectar.

Displays: Male bows to female with tail spread and wings slightly raised.

Nest: Suspended from tree branches and woven out of shredded plant fibers; lined with grass, plant down and hair.

Eggs: Pale gray to bluish white, marked with darker colors.

Call: Western birds make an emphatic skip sound.

Breeding bird atlas: To report bird breeding activity in your neighborhood or to get information on the breeding bird atlas, call Sea and Sage Audubon Society members Sylvia Gallagher, (714) 962-8990, or Nancy Kenyon, (714) 786-3160.

Note: Map is divided into 5-kilometer squares so that Audubon Society volunteers can more easily survey areas on a regular basis.

Sources: Sea and Sage Audubon Society; “The Birder’s Handbook,” Ehrlich, Dobkin and Wheye, Fireside Books (1988); “Field Guide to the Birds of North America,” National Geographic Society (1987); “Birds of Southern California: Status and Distribution,” Garrett and Dunn, Los Angeles Audubon Society (1981).