Hooded Oriole: Icterus cucullatus

Hooded Oriole
Icterus cucullatus

Identification Tips:

* Length: 7 inches
* Sharply-pointed bill

Male:

* Black face, throat, back, wings and tail
* Orange head, belly, rump and undertail coverts
* White wing bars
* Immature male similar to female but has black throat

Female:

* Greenish-gray upperparts
* Yellowish underparts
* Two wing bars

Similar species:

Male Altamira Oriole is larger and has an orange shoulder. Male Bullock's Oriole has a white wing patch and a black eyeline. Male Baltimore Oriole has a black head. Rare stray Streak-backed Oriole has streaked, not black, back. Female Baltimore and Bullock's Orioles have grayer bellies than female Hooded Orioles. Female Orchard Oriole very similar but has a less decurved bill.

Length and wingspan from: Robbins, C.S., Bruun, B., Zim, H.S., (1966). Birds of North America. New York: Western Publishing Company, Inc.