Bullock's oriole is a small New World blackbird. At one time, this species and the Baltimore oriole were considered to be a single species, the northern oriole. This bird is named after William Bullock, an English amateur naturalist.
Region
Western North America
Typical Environment
Breeds from the Great Plains westward to the Pacific Coast, most common in the interior West, California, and the southern Canadian Prairies. Prefers open woodlands, riparian corridors with cottonwoods and willows, shade trees in towns, orchards, and parks. Winters mainly in northwestern and central Mexico in thorn scrub and tropical deciduous woodland. Avoids dense conifer forests and very arid treeless expanses but uses hedgerows and river groves.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 2400 m
Climate Zone
Temperate
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Bullock's oriole is a small New World blackbird of the western United States and northern Mexico. It was once lumped with the Baltimore oriole as the 'northern oriole' before being split based on differences in genetics, plumage, and range. Females weave intricate, pendulous basket nests from plant fibers and string. They readily visit backyard feeders offering orange halves, jelly, or nectar.
Bullock's oriole nests near San Jose, California
Temperament
active and wary
Flight Pattern
direct flight with rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Typically forms territorial breeding pairs; small loose groups may gather at rich food sources. The female weaves a hanging, pouch-like nest suspended from the fork of a slender outer branch, while the male often helps defend the territory. Clutch size is usually 3–5 eggs, and both parents feed the young.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
A series of rich, whistled phrases delivered in short bursts, often burry or slightly rasping at the edges. Calls include sharp chatter and scolding notes, with softer contact calls given around the nest.
Plumage
Males are bright orange with a black crown, a black eye-line extending to a small throat patch, and bold white wing patches; back and tail are black with orange highlights. Females and immatures are grayish to olive-brown above with yellow-orange wash on the face and underparts and distinct white wingbars. Feathers are sleek, with minimal streaking and strong contrast on the wings.
Diet
Eats a mix of insects (caterpillars, beetles, grasshoppers, and spiders), ripe fruit, and nectar. Frequently gleans insects from leaves and blossoms in the canopy and probes flowers for nectar. Will sip sugar water and take orange halves or fruit jelly at feeders, especially during migration and breeding. In late summer, fruit and nectar become a larger portion of the diet.
Preferred Environment
Forages high in deciduous trees along rivers, in cottonwood–willow galleries, and urban shade trees. Also feeds in orchards and garden landscapes with flowering shrubs and fruiting plants.
