Nimble canopy-gleaners of open woodlands in the western U.S., Bullock's Orioles dangle upside down from branches while foraging and weaving their remarkable hanging nests. [Bullock’s Oriole song] Not only are most of these birds vividly colorful, but they are among the world’s most accomplished nest-builders. The Bullock’s Oriole is the only member of the oriole family – there are 27 species in the New World – to nest in the Northwest. Partners in Flight estimates a global breeding population of 7 million with 86% spending some part of the year in the U.S., 96% in Mexico, and 3% breeding in Canada. Nest (built by female, sometimes with help from male) is a hanging pouch, with its rim firmly attached to a branch; tends to be wider and deeper than the nest of Baltimore Oriole.
Bullock's Oriole are widespread and common, but populations declined by 29% between 1966 and 2014, according to the North American Breeding Bird Survey. Adult males are flame-orange with a neat line through the eye and a white wing patch; females are washed in gray and orange. Nest is tightly woven of plant fibers, strips of bark, vine tendrils, grass, yarn, and string, lined with fine grass, plant down, hair.