They won't be hanging around your seed feeder. But, put out some orange halves or spoonsful of berry-grape jelly in a dish and you might entice a brilliantly colored Hooded or Bullock's Oriole into your back yard.

But watch carefully, because they won't be around for long. They are in Southern California to breed, so they're looking for a quick sugar fix to give them energy. Soon, when chicks are fledged, they will fly south again.

Right: Bullock's Oriole at orange half

One reason they may favor So Cal is that they often weave their hanging swinging nests under palm fronds. Hooded Orioles sometimes are called “palm-leaf orioles.” They like being up high in the tree canopy, where they forage for bugs as well as fruit. They may amuse you by hanging upside down from branches as they search for food.

How to tell these two bright visitors apart? The Bullock's has a streak of what looks like black makeup from behind its eye to the back of its head. The male Hooded Oriole has an all-orange hood. Also, here in Southern California both birds tend to be more yellow than bright orange, and females are more grey and yellow than black and orange.

To be sure orioles come to your yard, try to anticipate the breeding season by putting out fruit and nectar just before they arrive. Experts say, if the the treats aren't available when they first canvas your yard, they might just move on.

Try to change out fruit daily and put the nectar in an oriole feeder (which has holes larger than a hummingbird feeder) or a dish in a shallow bowl of water to discourage ants. Orioles also love a small dish of jelly, such as a combination of berry and grape jelly. Try to change out the jelly daily. 

Bullock's Orioles sometimes will try their luck at flowers and may even visit your hummingbird feeder, if it has perches. After they have been in your yard for a while or if you see a nest, consider adding mealworms, because both parents and babies need more protein as the chicks grow.

If you do put out fruit and nectar, one side benefit is that it also may attract beautiful Tanagers and Grosbeaks, as well as the orioles, adding more splashes of color to your garden

Best, if they are happy in your yard, they will sing and chatter, with the males singing most sweetly.