Audubon's Oriole

Audubon's Oriole
The Audubon's Oriole has a very limited range, including the valley of the Lower Rio Grande in Texas and southward in Mexico to Oaxaca. It is more common in central and eastern Mexico than in any other part of its range. In the summer, it only frequents the denser forests of its Texas home, but during the winter months it will approach the inhabited regions.

The nest of the Audubon's Oriole is usually placed in mesquite trees, in thickets and open woods, from six to fourteen feet from the ground. It is a hanging structure woven from wire-like grass used while still green and resembles those of the Hooded Oriole and the Orchard Oriole. The nest is firmly attached, both on the top and sides, to small branches and growing twigs. The rim of the nest is somewhat contracted to prevent the eggs from being thrown out during high winds. The inner lining consists of finer grass tops. The Red-eyed Cowbird of the Southern United States and Central America frequently parasites the nests of the Audubon's Oriole.

The diet of the Audubon's Oriole consists of mainly insects and, to some extent, of berries and other fruits.

The adult male Audubon's Oriole has a black head, wings and tail; white edges to wing feathers and a yellow back, rump, breast, belly and shoulder. The adult female Audubon's Oriole has similar plumage but duller. The Audubon's Oriole is similar to the Scott's Oriole but has a yellow, not black back. Other yellow orioles lack the black head of the Audubon's Oriole.

Attracting Orioles