The Black-hooded Oriole (Oriolus xanthornus) is a member of the oriole family of passerine birds. The Oriole is a resident breeder found in the tropical regions of southern Asia. They are found in India, Sri Lanka and Indonesia. It is a bird of open woodland and cultivation. The oriole's food consists of insects and fruits. The Orioles are typically found of figs, which are found in tree canopies and these birds spend much of their time feeding.

The male is striking with typical oriole black and yellow combination. The plumage of the male oriole is predominantly yellow with a solid black hood, black wings and the tail center. The female Black-hooded Oriole is a drabber bird with greenish underparts, but still has the black hood. Young birds are like the female, but have dark streaking on the underparts, and their hood is not solidly black, especially on the throat. They build nests on tree canopies which usually contain only two eggs. The black head of this species is an obvious distinction from Golden Oriole, Loriolus, which is a summer visitor to northern India.

Orioles can be shy by behavior and even the male may be difficult to see in the dappled yellow and green leaves of the canopy. These birds can be spotted in Bandipur and Masinagudi about 260 kilometers from Bangalore. The dense jungles of Masinagudi and its cool nilgiris mountains hosts the visitors with their promise of food during summer.

These birds of beauty are a true testiment to the wide spectrum of colors of the God creations...! If you are lucky to spot them in a jungle...do not hesitate to SHOOT... ONLY WITH YOUR CAMERA!!

- Prashanth Bharadwaj