Icterus cucullatus
The Hooded Oriole (Icterus cucullatus) is a vibrant and graceful songbird of the New World Blackbird family, Icteridae, known for its distinctive plumage and elaborate hanging nests. Males are strikingly adorned with a bright orange or yellow hood, face, and underparts, contrasted by a black bib, back, wings, and tail, often displaying two white wing bars. Females are more subtly colored, typically olive-yellow with grayish underparts and two white wing bars. Measuring about 18-20 cm (7-8 inc...
Found in open woodlands, riparian areas, suburban parks, and gardens, particularly favoring habitats with palm trees, sycamores, or other broadleaf trees, typically at low to mid-elevations.
Primarily insectivorous, consuming caterpillars, beetles, and other arthropods; also a significant nectar feeder, probing flowers like agave, aloe, and hibiscus, and will consume small fruits.
Hooded Orioles are diurnal and active foragers, spending their days gleaning insects from foliage, probing flowers for nectar, and occasionally catching insects in flight. During the breeding season, males establish and defend territories with their rich, varied songs and aggressive posturing. Th...
The Hooded Oriole's breeding range extends across the southwestern United States, primarily California, southern Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, and western Texas, continuing south through much of Mexico. Its wintering grounds are primarily located in southern Baja California, southern Sonora, Sinal...
Least Concern
- Hooded Orioles are exceptional weavers; females often integrate their nests directly into the underside of palm fronds or weave them around dangling vines, creating a deep, pendulous pouch. - They are one of the few North American bird species that regularly feed on nectar, often visiting backy...