Hooded Oriole, Icterus cucullatus
Nesting habitats used by the Hooded Oriole
The hooded Oriole prefers to nest in tall trees. Most of the trees they nest in are riparian species for example Cottonwoods, Sycamores, and Willows.
Migration of the Hooded oriole
The hooded Oriole spends the winter months along the coasts of Mexico and in Baja California.
How to Attract the Hooded Oriole to your garden
The Hooded Oriole came to our garden at the Santa Margarita nursery for the cover, birdbath, and the insects and berries. Our nursery is something of an oasis in the chaparral. We have huge willows and cottonwoods as well as sycamores. This makes a haven for birds. To get them in your garden try a bird bath and a few large riparian trees. Cottonwoods are good in a home garden as they are deciduous and allow lots of sunlight in the winter and dense shade in the summer, lowering your home heating and cooling costs. Also, the leaves are not itchy like California Sycamores. Cottonwoods are also very drought tolerant as long as they have water in the winter.
Diet of the Hooded Oriole
The Hooded Oriole eats mainly insects except in summer when they will also feed on fruits and flower nectar.
Habitat used by the Hooded Oriole
The Hooded oriole likes dense foliage especially riparian habitats with Willows,California Sycamores, Cottonwoods, and Oaks. They seem to especially like fan palms.
Range of the Hooded Oriole
The Hooded Oriole is a summer visitor to California in the southern desert areas and the Central valley.
