California hosts an impressive mix of orioles, from widespread breeders like Bullock’s, hooded, and Scott’s orioles brightening riparian corridors, suburban palms, and desert woodlands to rare migrants that drift west from the Great Plains and Mexico. This guide highlights the species most likely to be seen in the state and explains where and when to find them, from the deserts to the coast.
Bullock’s Oriole
Icterus bullockii
- Identification: Medium-sized oriole; males bright orange with black crown, eyeline, and throat and a broad white wing patch; females gray-yellow with a softly orange-tinged face and pale underparts.
- Where found: Widespread summer resident across most of California below high montane elevations, favoring riparian corridors, oak woodlands, and open stands of large deciduous trees; a few individuals winter along the southern coast in urban parks and flowering eucalyptus.
- How to spot: Look for active, brightly colored males in cottonwoods, sycamores, and oaks, or for family groups moving together through late-summer foraging areas; listen for their musical, warbled songs and sharp chatter notes.
- Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN); declining in parts of California due to riparian habitat loss, urban development, and pesticide impacts, yet remains common in suitable habitat.
The Bullock’s oriole is the most familiar oriole of California’s lowlands, appearing each spring in riparian corridors, valley foothill woodlands, and open groves of large deciduous trees. Adults measure 17 to 19 centimeters (6.8 to 7.6 inches) long, with males showing vivid yellow to orange underparts, a black crown and throat, and a bold white wing patch. Females and immatures are much duller, displaying grayish upperparts and pale yellow or orange tones on the face and breast. Birds in California tend to be slightly smaller than those found farther east in the Great Plains or Great Basin.
These orioles are agile foragers, moving through foliage in search of insects, nectar, and fruit, and often hanging beneath leaves or flowers while probing for prey. Both sexes sing, with males delivering a rich, varied series of whistles and chatters during territory establishment. Pairs vigorously defend nest sites, and in California they frequently mob predators such as yellow-billed magpies, American crows, and California scrub-jays. In some regions, orioles nest near yellow-billed magpies, likely benefiting from the magpies’ strong mobbing behavior, which reduces nest predation.
Bullock’s orioles breed throughout most of California except in high mountain zones and the driest eastern desert ranges. They favor riparian woodlands with cottonwoods, sycamores, willows, and deciduous oaks, but they also use live oaks, orchard trees, and occasionally conifers when hardwoods are nearby. In several coastal and interior regions they nest regularly in eucalyptus groves. The breeding season extends from early April into late July, with many birds leaving their territories by mid-summer and forming loose groups before migrating. In some years, families gather in large late-summer foraging flocks, occasionally numbering dozens of individuals when food such as grasshoppers or caterpillars is abundant.
Migration in California begins in late July and continues through early September, with stragglers into October. Spring arrival peaks from late March to early April in southern areas and slightly later in the north. Although the species is a complete migrant across most of its range, a small number remain along the southern California coast in winter, especially in urban parks and neighborhoods with flowering eucalyptus. Occasional winter records also occur elsewhere in the state.
Bullock’s orioles remain widespread and locally common, but declines have been noted in parts of California where riparian habitat has been converted or reduced. Urban development, vegetation removal, and pesticide use have contributed to local decreases, and severe storm events can occasionally cause brood losses. Despite these pressures, the species continues to occupy a broad range of natural and human-modified landscapes, and conservation of riparian woodlands remains essential for sustaining healthy populations in the state.
Hooded Oriole
Icterus cucullatus
- Identification: Slender, medium-sized oriole; males bright orange to yellow-orange with a black throat and mask and bold white wingbars; females duller yellow with grayish-olive tones and softer underparts.
- Where found: Common summer resident across lowland and foothill regions of California, especially in areas with ornamental palms; most depart by mid-September, though small numbers winter along the southern coast.
- How to spot: Look for males weaving nests beneath palm fronds in suburban neighborhoods, parks, and riparian corridors; listen for soft chatters and faint, thin songs given from within foliage.
- Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN); stable or increasing in California, supported by widespread ornamental plantings and feeders.
The hooded oriole is the characteristic palm-dwelling oriole of California, a slender, graceful species strongly associated with fan palms in suburban yards, riparian corridors, and desert oases. Adults measure 18 to 20 centimeters (7.1 to 7.9 inches) long and show a distinctly elongated profile with a narrow, decurved bill. Males are vivid orange to yellow-orange with a black bib and mask, contrasting black wings and tail, and bold white wingbars. Females and immatures are much duller, appearing olive-yellow with grayish upperparts and less intense underparts; young males often show only a partial black throat and mask during their first summer.
These orioles forage methodically through palm crowns, deciduous foliage, and flowering shrubs, gleaning insects and sipping nectar while often hanging acrobatically beneath leaves. They frequently investigate tubular flowers and may visit hummingbird feeders, especially in coastal and urban landscapes. While males sing, their songs are softer and less prominent than those of other orioles, consisting of faint whistles and chatter notes. Both sexes give frequent soft calls, and males display with sleek, upright postures and wing fluttering during territorial encounters.
Hooded orioles are widespread in California at lower elevations, breeding from the Central Valley and coastal lowlands north to Humboldt County and east into the Mojave and Colorado Deserts, the Owens Valley, and the Panamint Mountains. Their northward expansion during the past century is closely tied to the planting of ornamental palms – especially fan palms, which now provide abundant nesting sites throughout cities and agricultural areas. Nests are typically suspended from the undersides of palm fronds, though in coastal regions they also occur in sycamores and other deciduous trees. Birds arrive mostly from late March into early April and remain until early to mid-September, with most northern breeders departing sooner. A small number winter in coastal southern California, aided by flowering ornamentals and nectar feeders.
Populations in California appear stable or increasing, with long-term survey data showing some of the highest rates of annual increase in the state. The species has benefited greatly from suburban landscaping and irrigation, which have created extensive patches of suitable habitat across regions where it was once scarce. Local risks include nest predation by crows, ravens, jays, and accipiters, along with occasional brood parasitism by brown-headed and bronzed cowbirds, but overall the hooded oriole remains a common and adaptable species throughout much of California’s lowlands.
Scott’s Oriole
Icterus parisorum
- Identification: Medium-sized oriole; males show a black head, back, and breast contrasting with bright lemon-yellow underparts and rump, while females are duller yellow-olive with scattered black on the head or throat.
- Where found: Fairly common summer resident in southern California’s desert woodlands and arid mountain slopes, ranging north in smaller numbers to Inyo and southern Mono counties; rare in winter in wooded canyons along the western edge of southern deserts.
- How to spot: Watch for males singing persistent, ringing whistles from Joshua trees, yuccas, or pinyon-juniper slopes; also look for birds foraging among yuccas and desert shrubs.
- Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN); gradual long-term declines linked to habitat loss in arid foothills and wintering grounds, but still locally common in suitable desert habitats.
The Scott’s oriole is the desert specialist among California’s orioles, closely tied to yucca-rich hillsides, Joshua tree woodlands, and arid mountain slopes of the southern part of the state. Measuring 20 to 23 centimeters (7.9 to 9.1 inches) long, it is a medium-sized species with a slender bill and long tail. Adult males are striking, with a black hood, back, and breast set against vivid lemon-yellow underparts and rump, bold white wingbars, and a yellow epaulet. Females are more variable, typically olive-gray above and yellow below, with scattered black on the head or throat. Immature birds resemble females until acquiring adult plumage.
These orioles forage actively among yuccas, pinyons, and desert shrubs, probing flowers, leaves, and dead foliage for insects, nectar, and fruit. They sometimes descend to the ground or visit feeders in desert towns. Males deliver persistent, rapid whistled songs early in the season, a behavior especially prominent in April and May in southern California. Singing declines sharply by June, even though nesting continues, suggesting that song plays a stronger role in courtship than in territorial defense. Both sexes may engage in back-and-forth singing early in the breeding cycle, and courtship displays can include aerial pursuits and ground-level waddling displays by males.
In California, Scott’s orioles breed primarily in the Lower and Upper Sonoran Life Zones, occupying desert oases, pinyon-juniper woodlands, Joshua tree plateaus, and arid, desert-facing mountain slopes. They nest commonly in yuccas and pinyon pines, and occasionally in adjacent dry interior oak woodlands. The breeding range extends from the Mojave and Colorado Deserts west to the north slopes of the San Gabriel and San Bernardino Mountains and north to Kern, Inyo, and parts of Mono counties, with local populations in Quatal Canyon, upper Cuyama Valley, and nearby foothill areas.
Breeding occurs from late April through late June. Most birds leave by late July or early August and migrate to wintering areas in central and southern Mexico, though small numbers remain along the western margins of the southern deserts in winter. Individuals are rare along the southern California coast and extremely rare farther north during migration or winter.
Although fairly common in much of its desert range, the Scott’s oriole has experienced gradual long-term declines, reflecting pressures on both breeding and wintering habitats. Desert development, overgrazing, vegetation changes, and the loss of yucca-rich slopes reduce suitable nesting areas. Even so, the species remains widespread in appropriate habitat and continues to be a distinctive element of California’s desert woodlands each spring and summer.
Baltimore Oriole
Icterus galbula
- Identification: Medium-sized oriole; males bright orange with black head, back, and wings and a bold white wingbar, females duller yellow-orange with olive-brown wings and tail.
- Where found: Rare migrant and winter visitor in California, occurring mainly along the coastal lowlands from Monterey County south to San Diego County, with most records in fall and small numbers remaining through winter.
- How to spot: Look for bright males feeding in flowering ornamental trees such as eucalyptus or listen for their clear, flute-like whistles in coastal parks during the migration and winter season.
- Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN); declining overall across its range due to habitat loss, pesticides, and migration hazards, with California occurrences limited and irregular.
The Baltimore oriole is a familiar bird of eastern North America but appears in California only as a rare migrant or winter visitor. Adults measure 17 to 20 centimeters (6.7 to 7.9 inches) long and present a slender, long-winged profile. Males are strikingly patterned, with a black head, back, and wings contrasting against vivid orange underparts and shoulders. Females vary widely in color, from pale yellowish-orange with olive-brown wings and tail to richer orange birds approaching the male pattern; young birds resemble females until their second molt. Even though they are uncommon in the state, their bright plumage and rich whistles can make them conspicuous when present.
Individuals in California occur mostly along the coastal lowlands, especially from Monterey County south to San Diego County. The species is a rare but regular fall migrant, with most records from late September into October, and additional late fall records likely representing birds settling into winter sites. A small number overwinter annually in southern coastal counties, where flowering ornamentals, especially eucalyptus, provide nectar and insect resources. Wintering birds may persist into late March or April. Spring records are few and scattered, almost all from coastal San Diego County from early to late May, and may represent either lingering winter birds or true migrants. Away from the coast, the species is very rare, with only isolated occurrences in central or northern California.
Despite their scarcity in the state, Baltimore orioles behave similarly to their eastern counterparts when present, foraging high in trees by hopping, fluttering, and hanging to reach insects, fruit, or nectar. They sing clear, flute-like whistles during spring migration or when overwintering males begin early-season song. Birds frequently visit ornamental flowering trees in coastal parks and gardens, and occasional individuals feed at nectar or jelly feeders. A hybrid between Baltimore and Bullock’s orioles has been recorded once in California, reflecting the two species’ broad hybrid zone in the Great Plains.
Though widespread in eastern North America, Baltimore oriole populations show long-term declines, and the small number of birds reaching California likely reflects both natural rarity and broader regional trends. Even so, the species remains a welcome and distinctive visitor to coastal communities each fall and winter, where ornamental plantings have created small seasonal opportunities for this otherwise eastern oriole.
Orchard Oriole
Icterus spurius
- Identification: Small, short-tailed oriole; males chestnut and black, females and immatures yellow-green with white wingbars.
- Where found: A very rare visitor to California, occurring mainly as a fall transient along the coastal lowlands and as an occasional winterer in urban parks, gardens, and ornamental plantings.
- How to spot: Look for chestnut males or yellow-green females in flowering eucalyptus, bottlebrush, or similar ornamentals; listen for rapid, musical whistles reminiscent of a shortened robin song.
- Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN); declining in parts of its breeding range due to habitat loss, grazing pressure, and brood parasitism.
The orchard oriole is the smallest of North American orioles and a rare visitor to California, where it appears mostly in autumn and occasionally winters in coastal communities. Adults measure 15 to 18 centimeters (5.9 to 7.1 inches) long and are distinctive in structure, with a short tail, slender profile, and relatively fine bill. Adult males show a black head, back, wings, and tail set against rich chestnut underparts and rump. Females and immatures differ entirely, displaying olive-green upperparts and yellow underparts marked with two narrow white wingbars. Young males often resemble females during their first year before gradually developing chestnut and black feathers.
Though uncommon in the state, orchard orioles behave much like their eastern counterparts when present. They forage actively and low in vegetation, gleaning insects from leaves, flowers, and shrubs, and sometimes hovering or hanging to reach nectar or hidden prey. Their flight is light and buoyant, and both sexes may sing – a rapid, musical series of whistles interspersed with sharper notes. Calls include a soft “jeet” and quick chatter typical of small orioles. Separating females and immatures from hooded orioles can be challenging, and careful attention to structure, plumage tone, and wingbars is essential in California.
In California, orchard orioles occur primarily along the coastal lowlands, especially in the fall from mid-September through late October, with records extending from mid-August into November. They are much rarer in spring, with only scattered records from late April to late May, almost all from coastal sites in San Diego County. Small numbers winter irregularly in southern coastal areas, particularly in urban parks, cemeteries, and residential neighborhoods where exotic flowering trees such as eucalyptus, bottlebrush, and aloes provide nectar and insect food. Winter stayers may persist from November into March or April. Away from the coast, the species is exceptionally rare, with only isolated inland records.
Although widespread in the eastern United States, orchard orioles have declined in parts of their breeding range, and the few individuals reaching California reflect both natural rarity and broader population trends. Nonetheless, they remain a sought-after seasonal visitor, especially in coastal parks where flowering ornamentals offer brief foraging opportunities each fall and winter.
Streak-Backed Oriole
Icterus pustulatus
- Identification: Medium-sized oriole with deep orange head and underparts, a black throat patch, and a distinctive streaked black-and-orange back; wings black with prominent white patches.
- Where found: A very rare visitor to California, known from only a handful of records, mostly from coastal southern counties; individuals may appear in fall or winter in residential areas or riparian corridors.
- How to spot: Look for its bold black throat patch and streaked back, and listen for melodic whistles given from exposed perches or mid-level foliage.
- Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN); globally stable, though small insular subspecies elsewhere are vulnerable.
The streak-backed oriole is a striking Pacific-slope species of Mexico and Central America and an exceptional rarity in California, where only a few individuals have been documented. Adults measure 19 to 21 centimeters (7.5 to 8.3 inches) long and appear slightly bulkier than hooded orioles, with a straighter bill and more extensive white in the wings. Males show deep orange on the head and underparts, a black throat patch, and a dark, streaked back that immediately sets them apart from other orioles in the state. Females are somewhat duller, and juveniles are yellowish with faint streaking and reduced dark facial markings. Geographic variation within the species is considerable, with northern forms generally brighter and less streaked than populations farther south.
In California, streak-backed orioles appear only as rare vagrants, with almost all records from coastal southern counties. Individuals have been found in the Tijuana River Valley, Pacific Beach, Lake Murray, and other coastal lowland sites, sometimes lingering for weeks or months where flowering ornamentals and neighborhood vegetation provide food. A single documented wintering bird in San Diego County remained from December through April, demonstrating the species’ occasional ability to persist in mild coastal climates. Records are scattered across seasons but cluster in fall and winter, and extreme rarity north of southern California suggests that most individuals reaching the state are overshooting migrants or wandering birds from nearby Baja California. Occasional reports require careful scrutiny, as escaped cage birds are a known possibility for this species.
Despite its rarity in the United States, the streak-backed oriole is widespread and commonly encountered in thorn scrub, tropical woodland, plantations, and semi-open habitats of western Mexico. Its song is a rich, melodic series of whistles, and both sexes forage energetically by probing foliage, rolled leaves, and dead wood for insects, as well as taking nectar and fruit. In California, even a single occurrence attracts significant attention, making the species one of the state’s most sought-after vagrant orioles.
Where and When to See Orioles in California
Orioles in California appear across a remarkable range of habitats, from desert slopes and Joshua tree woodlands to leafy coastal parks and suburban neighborhoods lined with palms. The Bullock’s oriole is the species most Californians encounter, returning each spring to riparian corridors, valley foothill woodlands, and open stands of large deciduous trees throughout most of the state. Hooded orioles thrive wherever palms are planted, especially in Southern California’s coastal and inland valleys, while Scott’s orioles inhabit the arid desert woodlands of the south, favoring yuccas, pinyon-juniper slopes, and Joshua tree plateaus.
Winter adds variety to coastal communities, where small numbers of Baltimore orioles and the even rarer orchard oriole appear in parks, gardens, cemeteries, and neighborhoods with flowering ornamentals such as eucalyptus. The streak-backed oriole, a striking wanderer from Mexico, remains one of the state’s rarest vagrants, recorded only a handful of times in southern coastal counties.
Timing varies by species. Bullock’s and hooded orioles arrive from late March through April and remain into midsummer, with Bullock’s widespread by early spring and hooded most visible in palm-filled suburbs shortly after. The Scott’s oriole follows a similar schedule in the deserts, where males sing persistently in April and May before becoming quieter during nesting.
Fall brings the best chance of finding rare eastern or Mexican orioles along the coast: Baltimore and orchard orioles appear primarily from September through November, with a few wintering birds lingering into early spring. Streak-backed orioles are unpredictable at any season, but most California records are from fall through early spring in coastal San Diego County.
