I live in Southern California. There have been hummingbird feeders in our back yard for a few years. Last winter I noticed a male hooded Oriole visiting one feeder. His breast and hood were brilliant orange through the winter, and then changed to bright yellow in March. In April he appeared with a mate, a typical female with a subdued yellow breast and hood. In May a new bird appeared, always accompanied by one parent or the other. The parents still visit the feeder individually. His coloring was very drab at first; black back and wings. He only visits at dawn or dusk, and this morning I noticed that his breast and hood have definitely changed to dull orange. He almost looks like a large version of the male Orchard Oriole.

I have fair pictures of the adults, but the juvenile never seems to sit long enough to even focus the camera. Has anyone else noticed this particular coloration development in juvenile hooded Orioles?

Phil