Birds of North Carolina
their Distribution and Abundance
Scientific Name:
Common Name:
 Family (Alpha):
ICTERIDAE Members: Bullock's Oriole 541
General Comments
The Bullock's Oriole is the western counterpart to the Baltimore Oriole. Originally classified as separate species, these two species were merged as a single species -- Northern Oriole -- for a few decades, as the two hybridize in some areas where their ranges come into contact. Thankfully, more research has prompted the American Ornithologists' Union to re-split the two, back to Bullock's and Baltimore. Bullock's is a very rare visitor, mainly in winter at feeders, to North Carolina; birds have often lingered for a few weeks or even over-wintered. There are at least 35 records, but just one from the Mountains. NOTE: a handful of these records/reports are of females, which can easily be confused with female Baltimore Orioles; thus, it is hoped that all of these reports were correct.
Breeding Status
Nonbreeder
NC BRC List
Definitive
State Status
none
U.S. Status
Definitive
State Rank
SZ
Global Rank
G5
Coastal Plain
Very rare winter visitor; many records prior to 2010, but with a decline in reports until around 2023. Since then, there were four records during the 2023-24 winter, three more in 2024-25, and about six in 2025-26. There are about 25 records, with at least ten of the birds lingering for several weeks, generally at feeders. Records rather evenly spread from inland towns and cities to the coastal region. The span of dates is 2 Dec to 10 May. Peak counts: 4 (highest number on a single date), Morehead City, during the winter of 1959-60.
Piedmont
Very rare winter visitor. There are about 16 records, with 8-9 birds over-wintering. Records are scattered from Raleigh and Fuquay-Varina west to Pittsboro (Chatham), Stallings (Union), Davidson (Mecklenburg), Charlotte, Huntersville (Mecklenburg), Conover (Catawba), and northeastern Gaston. No records yet from the northwestern part of the province (including the heavily populated Triad region). Dates range from 11 Nov to 31 Mar. Unlike in the Coastal Plain, at least 12 of these reports have been since 2005. Peak counts: 1.
Mountain
One record. An adult male was photographed at a feeder in Murphy (Cherokee) on 13 Oct 2024 (Chat 89:31); this record has yet to be reviewed by the NC BRC.
Finding Tips
Your first Bullock's Oriole will likely be seen at someone's feeder, especially near the coast.