Texas · Summer breeder

Bullock's Orioles in Texas

When Bullock's orioles are present in Texas, when they nest, which native Texas plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 6b–10a yard.

Blackbirds (Icteridae)Bullock's OrioleIcterus bullockii

Status in Texas: Summer breeder
Nesting window: April–July
Broods: 1 per season
Hardiness zones: USDA 6b–10a

When to expect Bullock's orioles in Texas

Bullock's Orioles are summer residents in Texas, arriving shortly before nesting begins in April and leaving after the young are independent. Through the season they feed on caterpillars.

Humid subtropical in the east and along the Gulf, semi-arid to arid in the west; long, hot summers and short, mild winters over most of the state.

Nesting in Texas

Across Texas, Bullock's orioles typically nest from April–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.

Afternoon highs regularly exceed 95°F — nest boxes need shade or light-colored, ventilated construction, and water matters as much as food.

Bullock's Orioles don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as yaupon holly, american beautyberry, coral honeysuckle for nest sites.
Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after July.

Native Texas plants that attract Bullock's orioles

Of the regional native plants we track for Texas, these 8 provide food or cover Bullock's orioles use:

Yaupon holly

Ilex vomitoria · Shrub

Evergreen cover plus red winter berries on female plants.

American beautyberry

Callicarpa americana · Shrub

Clusters of purple fruit from late summer into fall.

Coral honeysuckle

Lonicera sempervirens · Vine

Native tubular red flowers; not the invasive Japanese honeysuckle.

Flowering dogwood

Cornus florida · Tree

Fat-rich red fall fruit taken by thrushes, bluebirds and woodpeckers.

Eastern red cedar

Juniperus virginiana · Tree

Dense evergreen roost cover and bluish 'berries' eaten through winter.

Serviceberry

Amelanchier arborea · Tree

Early-summer berries arrive exactly when nestlings are being fed.

Smooth sumac

Rhus glabra · Shrub

Red fruit heads hang on through winter.

Black cherry

Prunus serotina · Tree

Summer fruit and one of the top caterpillar host trees.

Feeding Bullock's orioles through the Texas year

Weaves hanging nests in cottonwoods along western rivers.

Best foods: Oranges, Grape jelly, Nectar.
In Texas'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 Texas year-round?

No. Bullock's Orioles are summer breeders in Texas and leave for the winter.

When do Bullock's orioles nest in Texas?

Nesting in Texas typically runs April–July, with 1 per season. Clutches are 4–5 eggs, incubated for 11–14 days.

What native plants attract Bullock's orioles in Texas?

Yaupon holly, American beautyberry, Coral honeysuckle, Flowering dogwood, Eastern red cedar, Serviceberry, Smooth sumac, Black cherry are native plants in Texas that provide food or cover for Bullock's orioles.

Bullock's Orioles in other regions

Alberta Arizona British Columbia California Colorado Idaho Kansas Montana Nebraska Nevada New Mexico North Dakota Oklahoma Oregon Saskatchewan South Dakota Utah Washington Wyoming

Other backyard birds in Texas

Northern Cardinal Eastern Bluebird Carolina Chickadee Purple Martin Downy Woodpecker Hairy Woodpecker American Goldfinch Tufted Titmouse White-breasted Nuthatch House Wren Blue Jay House Finch Purple Finch Ruby-throated Hummingbird Carolina Wren Mourning Dove American Robin Dark-eyed Junco White-throated Sparrow Song Sparrow Chipping Sparrow Red-bellied Woodpecker Northern Flicker Pileated Woodpecker Red-headed Woodpecker Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Red-breasted Nuthatch Brown-headed Nuthatch Brown Creeper Common Grackle Red-winged Blackbird Baltimore Oriole Orchard Oriole Pine Siskin Indigo Bunting Painted Bunting Eastern Towhee Northern Mockingbird Brown Thrasher Cedar Waxwing Tree Swallow Barn Swallow Eastern Phoebe Chimney Swift Yellow-rumped Warbler Pine Warbler Eastern Screech-Owl Wood Thrush Great Crested Flycatcher Eastern Kingbird House Sparrow European Starling Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay Bushtit Juniper Titmouse Black-crested Titmouse Anna's Hummingbird Black-chinned Hummingbird Broad-tailed Hummingbird Lesser Goldfinch Spotted Towhee Canyon Towhee Gambel's Quail Western Bluebird Mountain Bluebird Say's Phoebe Black Phoebe Acorn Woodpecker Ladder-backed Woodpecker Cactus Wren Curve-billed Thrasher Verdin Pyrrhuloxia Bewick's Wren White-crowned Sparrow Fox Sparrow Eurasian Collared-Dove White-winged Dove Inca Dove

Sources

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.