Measurements
Both Sexes
- Length
- 7.1–7.9 in
18–20 cm - Weight
- 0.8 oz
24 g
Other Names
- Oriole masqué (French)
- Bolsero cuculado, Bolsero encapuchado, Calandria zapotera, Jaranjero (Spanish)
Cool Facts
- When the nest is suspended from palm leaves, the female pokes holes in the leaf from below and pushes the fibers through, effectively sewing the nest to the leaf.
Habitat
Open Woodland
Breeds in areas with scattered trees, such as desert oases and along streams. Also in mesquite brush. Common in urban and suburban areas. Fond of palm trees.
Food
Insects
Insects, spiders, nectar, and fruit.
Nesting
Nesting Facts
- Clutch Size
- 3–7 eggs
- Egg Description
- White with irregular brown spots around large end.
- Condition at Hatching
- Nearly naked and helpless.
Nest Description
Nest a cup of woven plant fibers, suspended from leaves of trees. May be hanging or attached by sides of nest as well as rim.
Nest Placement
Tree
Behavior
Foliage Gleaner
Searches for insects among leaves; may hang upside down. Often perches near ground.
Conservation
Least Concern
Expanding range in some areas, perhaps as a result of using ornamental trees in urban areas. Lower Rio Grande population decreased markedly in 20th century, perhaps because of cowbird nest parasitism.
Credits
- Pleasants, B. Y., and D. J. Albano. 2001. Hooded Oriole (Icterus cucullatus). In The Birds of North America, No. 568. (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA.