Hooded Oriole

Meet the hooded oriole (Icterus cucullatus). This bright yellow bird should be pretty easy to spot as it flies and nests in the high canopy of riparian woodlands from March to mid-September. They also have been known to enjoy a roost in the palm fronds of the UC botanical gardens. This migratory bird gets both its common and scientific name from its appearance, as its yellow markings give the illusion of a bird wearing a yellow hooded jacket of some kind. The hooded oriole is omnivorous; it hunts meticulously in the leaf litter for insects but also consumes nectar and fruit when available. It is also not uncommon to see this yellow feathered friend drinking from hummingbird feeders. Life is not always smooth sailing, however, as the bird must worry about predation by crows, ravens, jays, and hawks, as well as nest parasitizing from brown-headed cowbirds. Their nests are a delicate patchwork of grass, plant fibers, and feathers that the hooded orioles sew onto the underside of leaves. No wonder some birds like to deposit their young in these nests; they are incredible! Luckily these bright birds aren’t going anywhere soon. They are in the conservation status category of least concern, and they are a common sight in the area during breeding season.