Posted by Bill Pranty on January 23, 2004 at 14:30:14:
In Reply to: Hoodef orioles posted by Suzanne Miller on January 23, 2004 at 09:05:31:
Hi Suzanne,
No offense intended, but it is EXTREMELY UNLIKELY that you saw Hooded Orioles. They likely are Spot-breasted Orioles, which are similar in many respects.
Hooded Orioles occur in the Southwest, and there's only one Florida record (from Pensacola). Spot-breasted Orioles are native to Central America but escaped from captivity into Miami in the late 1940s. They now occur throughout the southern Atlantic strip of Florida.
For photos of Spot-breasted Orioles, try this link: http://www.dartscape.com/birds/sbo.htm
In the event that you still are convinced that yoyr birds are Hooded Orioles, please obtain photographs. And then you can expect that 100 or more birders will be scoping out your yard over the next few weeks!
Best regards,
Bill Pranty
Avon Park, Florida