Bullock's Orioles in Oregon
When Bullock's orioles are present in Oregon, when they nest, which native Oregon plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 4b–9b yard.
- Status in Oregon
- Summer breeder
- Nesting window
- May–July
- Broods
- 1 per season
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4b–9b
When to expect Bullock's orioles in Oregon
Bullock's Orioles are summer residents in Oregon, arriving shortly before nesting begins in May and leaving after the young are independent. Through the season they feed on caterpillars.
Marine west-coast climate west of the Cascades; high desert to the east.
Nesting in Oregon
Across Oregon, Bullock's orioles typically nest from May–July. Nest site: hanging woven pouch. Females lay 4–5 eggs, incubate for 11–14 days, and young leave the nest after 12–14 days.
Dry summers west of the Cascades; hot days in the high desert.
- Bullock's Orioles don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as smooth sumac, chokecherry, red-osier dogwood for nest sites.
- Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after July.
Native Oregon plants that attract Bullock's orioles
Of the regional native plants we track for Oregon, these 8 provide food or cover Bullock's orioles use:
Red fruit heads hang on through winter.
Tubular flowers for hummingbirds and seed heads for finches.
Dark summer fruit and heavy caterpillar load.
White fruit and red winter stems; good thicket cover.
Red fruit persists until late winter when other food is gone.
Berry-like cones feed bluebirds, solitaires and waxwings in winter.
Early yellow flowers for hummingbirds, then summer fruit.
Saskatoon berries ripen in early summer.
Feeding Bullock's orioles through the Oregon year
Weaves hanging nests in cottonwoods along western rivers.
- Best foods: Oranges, Grape jelly, Nectar.
- In Oregon's summer: offer water and insect foods; natural food is abundant.
Full diet breakdown for Bullock's orioles · Best feeder for Bullock's orioles
Frequently asked
Are Bullock's orioles in Oregon year-round?
No. Bullock's Orioles are summer breeders in Oregon and leave for the winter.
When do Bullock's orioles nest in Oregon?
Nesting in Oregon typically runs May–July, with 1 per season. Clutches are 4–5 eggs, incubated for 11–14 days.
What native plants attract Bullock's orioles in Oregon?
Smooth sumac, Wild bergamot, Chokecherry, Red-osier dogwood, Highbush cranberry, Rocky Mountain juniper, Golden currant, Western serviceberry are native plants in Oregon that provide food or cover for Bullock's orioles.
Bullock's Orioles in other regions
Other backyard birds in Oregon
Sources
- Bullock's Oriole — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Bullock's Oriole life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Bullock's Oriole — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Oregon
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023)
- Audubon Native Plants Database
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.