The most beautiful birds you will see this summer are just arriving... Did you know we get Orchard and Baltimore Orioles.
Orchard Oriole vs. Baltimore Oriole
An oriole that’s smaller and much darker than a Baltimore oriole dashes through the flowering trees. The bird you’ve spotted is probably an orchard oriole. The two birds share similar markings, but where a male Baltimore oriole has a bright pop of orange, the orchard oriole sports a darker chestnut color.
Female orchard and female Baltimore orioles look alike. They share a warm-hued chest, head and tail feathers, but the female Baltimore has touches of tangerine orange while the orchard’s color runs closer to greenish yellow. Female orchard orioles are the primary nest builders (though their mates may sometimes help), constructing their homes in forks of branches. Over the course of a week, they weave grass and other flexible plant fibers into a pouch or a basket, then line the nests with softer plant down and feathers.
Orchard Orioles will share their territory in the summer. In fact, one tree may hold several nesting pairs. They build their homes alongside other bird species. Orchard orioles usually prefer open woodlands, lakeshores, parks, farms and, of course, orchards. They spend time in treetops and bushes where they forage for insects and spiders with their sharp, thin beaks.
Baltimore Orioles arrive a week before the Orchard Oriole. Smaller and more slender than an American Robin, Baltimore Orioles are medium-sized, sturdy-bodied songbirds with thick necks and long legs. Look for their long, thick-based, pointed bills. Baltimore Orioles are more often heard than seen as they feed high in trees, searching leaves and small branches for insects, flowers, and fruit. You may also spot them lower down, plucking fruit from vines and bushes or sipping from hummingbird feeders. Watch for the male’s slow, fluttering flights between tree tops and listen for their characteristic wink or chatter calls.
What Foods Do Orioles Eat?
Orioles don’t eat seeds and won’t visit a traditional bird feeder. A Baltimore oriole’s diet consists of fruit, nectar, and insects. Good Oriole Feeders should be able to offer fruit, nectar, containers for mealworms, or containers for offering jellies…Your feeding station should be about six feet off of the ground.”
Orioles love sweet sugary treats in spring, as they finish their long migrations. Grape jelly and fruit are high-energy foods that give them the boost they need to sustain their travels. When feeding orioles, most backyard birders swear by offering grape jelly.
As a best practice, offer up grape jelly that doesn’t contain artificial sweeteners, colors or flavors (Wild Bird Connections have the prefect jelly for your birds).
- EXPERT TIP: I would recommend an Oriole Feeder that holds a lot of jelly. A covered roof is also a good idea, prevents your jelly from getting diluted when it rains. We have a large selection of all sizes and variety of FEEDERS at Wild Bird Connection.
Start Feeding Orioles Early and Don’t Give Up
Probably the most important tip for feeding orioles in your yard is timing. It’s vital to have your oriole feeders before you expect orioles in your area. If the birds don’t spot the feeders as soon as they arrive in the spring, they’re unlikely to start using them later. If you don’t catch orioles when they first begin arriving, you may not attract them at all that year.
