Bullock's Oriole (Icterus bullockii) lives in open woodland across Western North America. It feeds on insects and fruit. Its conservation status is Least Concern.
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From May through July, Bullock's orioles laying three to six eggs, most often four or five, in deep, hanging baskets. The breeding season typically lasts from May until July and eggs are laid in clutches of 3 to 6, with clutches of 4 or 5 eggs being the most common.
Bullock's orioles construct pendulous nests about 6 inches (15 cm) deep and 4 inches (10 cm) wide, with walls roughly three-quarters of an inch (1.9 cm) thick, using bark, fine grass fiber and even animal hair. Nests are on average 6 inches (15 cm) deep and 4 inches (10 cm) in diameter, the walls of which are approximately 0.75 inches (1.9 cm) thick.
During summer, fruit makes up roughly 40 % of a Bullock's oriole's diet, supplementing its insect meals of butterflies, beetles and scale insects. Fruit is also a major food source, accounting for approximately 40% of this species diet during the summer months. This heavy reliance on fruit means the birds act as seed dispersers for cherries, blackberries, raspberries and figs, linking them directly to plant regeneration across riparian corridors.
A single Bullock's oriole can live up to seven years in the wild, though most birds die younger, making that lifespan a rare achievement. The current observed maximum lifespan in the wild is 7 years, most individuals do not survive this long.
Bullock's oriole measures about a foot (12.2 inches) from wingtip to wingtip, yet it packs a hefty 43-gram body. Adults range 6.7-7.5 inches (17-19 cm) long, weigh 1.0-1.5 ounces (28-43 g) and span 12.2 inches (31 cm) across.
Sources
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In the sun-drenched expanses of North America's western woodlands, the Bullock's Oriole flits with effortless elegance, its vibrant orange plumage glowing like embers as it darts between branches. With a fluid, whiplash motion, it navigates the intricate tapestry of leaves and twigs, its song a melodic cascade of whistles and trills that echoes through the trees. As it forages for insects and nectar, its remarkable adaptability and resilience shine forth, a testament to the enduring spirit of this avian gem.
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