# Bullock's Oriole (*Icterus bullockii*) Bullock's Oriole is a bright yellow and black bird that loves to sing! They build beautiful hanging nests and can often be seen in gardens and parks, especially during spring and summer. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 23 - **Habitat:** Urban areas, gardens, and woodlands - **Also known as:** Bullock's Blackbird ![Bullock's Oriole](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Bullock's_Oriole.jpg&width=800) Photo: Kevin Cole from Pacific Coast, USA ( en:User:Kevinlcole ), CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bullock's_Oriole.jpg) ## Appearance The Bullock's Oriole has a striking appearance with its fiery orange body, black back, and white wing bars. Males show a distinctive black line through the eye and throat, contrasting with their bright orange head. Females are duller yellow with less black. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Passeriformes - **Family:** Icteridae - **Genus:** Icterus ## Interesting facts - Males sing beautiful, whistled songs to attract a mate. - Orioles can hang upside down to reach insects in tricky spots! - Their nests are often made of hair, plant fibers, and even string! - They sometimes drink from hummingbird feeders for a sugary treat. ## Special abilities - **Weaving Wizardry:** Bullock's Oriole can construct elaborate hanging nests because of their strong, slender beaks and weaving skills. - **Nectar Nosh:** Bullock's Oriole has a specialized tongue that helps them sip sweet nectar from deep inside flowers. - **Insect Interrogation:** Bullock's Oriole can expertly probe bark and leaves because their sharp beaks are perfect for finding hidden insects. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 17-22 cm - **Wingspan:** 30-38 cm - **Weight:** 0.029-0.043 kg - **Lifespan:** 5-10 years - **Speed:** 45 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 3-7 - **Incubation:** 11-14 days - **Migration Distance:** 2500 km ## Diet & Feeding These colorful birds love to snack on sweet fruits, nectar, and many different kinds of insects. - **Primary Foods:** Caterpillars, Grasshoppers, Beetles, Spiders, Berries, Nectar - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Cooper's Hawk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cooper-s-hawk) (*Accipiter cooperii*) — hunts adult orioles. - **Eaten by:** [Gopher Snake](https://www.snappit.app/explore/gopher-snake) (*Pituophis catenifer*) — preys on eggs and nestlings. - **Eats:** [Chokecherry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/chokecherry) (*Prunus virginiana*) — consumes ripe berries. - **Shelter:** [Valley Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/valley-oak) (*Quercus lobata*) — builds nests in its branches. ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Omnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/omnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter. - [Singing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/singing): Singing animals produce complex vocalizations, often for purposes of attracting mates, defending territory, or communicating within their species. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Migratory](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/migratory): Migratory animals undertake seasonal movements from one region to another, typically in response to changes in climate or food availability. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Enjoy watching birds from a distance and don't try to touch or catch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Bullock's Oriole? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Bullock's Oriole? 17-22 cm ### What is Bullock's Oriole's wingspan? 30-38 cm ### How much does Bullock's Oriole weigh? 0.029-0.043 kg ### How long does Bullock's Oriole live? 5-10 years ### How fast can Bullock's Oriole move? 45 km/h ### What does Bullock's Oriole eat? These colorful birds love to snack on sweet fruits, nectar, and many different kinds of insects. ### Where is Bullock's Oriole usually found? Urban areas, gardens, and woodlands ## Where to spot - [Dinosaur Ridge](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/dinosaur-ridge) — Colorado, US · Natural Landmark - [Franks Tract State Recreation Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/franks-tract-state-recreation-area) — California, US · State Park - [Mesilla Plaza](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/mesilla-plaza) — New Mexico, US · Park - [P Ranch](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/p-ranch) — Oregon, US · Historic Site - [Sod House Ranch](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/sod-house-ranch) — Oregon, US · Historic Site - [The Living Planet Aquarium](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/the-living-planet-aquarium) — Utah, US · Zoo [View all places to see Bullock's Oriole](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/bullocks-oriole) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Bullock's Oriole: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/bullocks-oriole)