Adult males and most first-year males are strikingly marked with brilliant breasts, bellies, and rump patches that contrast with black wings, black throats or heads, and in many species black rounded tails. Most females are similar to one another and pose a real problem in the Southwest, where several species occur. All have conspicuous wingbars and very sharply pointed beaks. Orioles migrate primarily by night, but loose bands of 5-10 may sometimes be seen just above the treetops in the early morning. The nest is made from grasses, plant fibers, hair, strings, etc.
Eggs are four to six white with irregular streaks and blotches of brown and black.
This is the only common U.S. oriole with an orange crown. The bill is long and slightly curved. The song is a series of whistles, chatters and warbles. A few winter in southern California and southern Texas. Its habitat is open woodlands, thickets, palms, and shade trees.