Column: Attracting the colorful hooded oriole to your yard – The San Diego Union-Tribune

Theyre back, but migrating hooded orioles hardly got the welcome mat this week as they arrived amid cold temperatures, rain and generally miserable weather.

These beautiful songbirds may be wondering why they bothered to leave the comfort of more tropical conditions in Mexico.

But theyre back, having started dribbling into the county late last month, and now showing up in most areas.

The earliest reports were about three weeks ago when the colorful birds were reported in Borrego Springs and at a few scattered locations along the coast.

Its an annual homecoming I anxiously await, and the thrill of seeing the first hooded oriole of the season is hard to describe.

Id have to say its about as exciting for me as Winnie the Pooh finding a honey tree.

Sure, we have flocks of white-crowned sparrows and yellow-rumped warblers who brighten up bouncing around in our gardens all winter, but the arrival of the orioles is nothing less than magical.

The neon-yellow and orange along with jet-black coloration make the hooded oriole one of our most colorful summer visitors. Like clockwork they arrive in numbers around the first week of March and with equal punctuality depart about the first week in September.

Over the last several years I have recorded the first male arrival on either March 7, 8 or 9.

Males return first, followed by the less colorful females about 10 days two weeks later.

For the next few months the orioles will begin nest building, generally in palms, and by mid-summer their population will noticeably increase as fledglings begin feeding to build strength and energy for the fall migration.

Keep an eye on fan palms or broad leaf plants such as banana trees or rubber trees. The orioles use the fiber strands from palms for both nest construction and to sew the pouch nest into the broad leaves where eggs and chicks will be protected from rain.

Orioles add both color and animation to your bird feeders and will keep you busy providing fresh nectar, grape jelly or slices of orange.

Residents who want to attract the birds can do so easily by offering several types of oriole feeders available at local bird supply outlets.

Most popular are nectar feeders, because they will provide food for several days. The nectar is a mixture of one-part sugar and four parts water, mixed in boiling water and allowed to cool. Clean feeders well when refilling.

Hooded orioles are also just plain crazy about grape jelly. Thats a bit more expensive than nectar, and they arent very neat about eating it, often flinging it about. Its a good idea to put jelly feeders out in the garden away from patios or walkways.

Oranges cut in half or quarters can be placed on a tray or on a spike and the birds will also enjoy that, however, try to keep them out of hot sunlight.

In the natural environment, hooded orioles also feed on insects by hanging upside down to examine the underside of leaves.

One of the most appealing things about these summer visitors are their antics. They are the clowns of the bird world, also hanging upside down from your feeders, sliding down the string or wire holding a feeder, chattering and bickering with each other.

They are nervous and animated birds, dashing in and out of feeders and exploding in a flurry of flying feathers at the appearance of a human. Ive found the best way to watch them is from a window. You might get a view if sitting perfectly still near a feeder, but generally they seem to recognize the human shape and bolt immediately.

I have nectar feeders on my patio by the kitchen window, right at the window of my office, and by my bedroom window. This gives me a good view as they come to feed.

Hooded orioles are a beautiful addition to any landscape. With a little effort, you should be able to attract them to your home.

Email ernie@packtrain.com or visit erniesoutdoors.blogspot.com.

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Column: Attracting the colorful hooded oriole to your yard - The San Diego Union-Tribune