Bullock's Oriole
Icterus bullockii
They weave pendulous, basket-like nests from hair and plant fibers that are strong enough to withstand high winds at the ends of branches.
- Scientific name
- Icterus bullockii
- Taxonomy
- Animalia › Chordata › Aves › Passeriformes › Icteridae › Icterus
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- decreasing
- Biome
- forest
- Habitat
- Open woodlands, riparian corridors, parklands, and suburban orchards.
- Diet
- Caterpillars, beetles, grasshoppers, spiders, berries, and nectar.
- Range
- Western United States, Western Canada, Mexico, Guatemala
- Size
- 17-19 cm long; 30-40 grams
- Lifespan
- 6-9 years
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Habitat loss in riparian zones, pesticide use reducing insect prey, and collisions with structures during migration.
- Safe to approach?
- Harmless. Observe from a distance with binoculars to avoid disturbing nesting pairs. If you find a grounded fledgling, leave it alone unless it is visibly injured; parents are usually nearby.
The Bullock's oriole ( Icterus bullockii ) 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 was named after William Bullock, an English amateur naturalist.
Photo: Michael Eisen, CC-BY, via iNaturalist
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