An oriole feeder is a specialized type of bird feeder designed to attract colorful orioles. Orioles are medium-sized songbirds found mostly in the eastern and central United States and Canada. There are a few different species of orioles that may visit an oriole feeder, depending on your location.
Which oriole species may visit an oriole feeder?
Here are the main oriole species found in North America that are likely to visit an oriole feeder:
- Baltimore Oriole – Found in eastern and central U.S. and southern Canada
- Bullock’s Oriole – Found in western U.S. and southwestern Canada
- Orchard Oriole – Found in central and eastern U.S.
- Hooded Oriole – Found in southwest U.S. and Mexico
- Scott’s Oriole – Found in southwest U.S. and Mexico
- Audubon’s Oriole – Found in southwest U.S. and Mexico
The Baltimore Oriole has the widest range and is the most likely species to visit backyard oriole feeders in the eastern half of the U.S. and Canada. Bullock’s Orioles are common visitors to feeders in western states. The other species have more limited ranges concentrated in the southwest U.S.
What types of food do orioles like to eat?
Orioles have a taste for sweet foods, fruits, and nectar. Here are some of their favorite foods that you can offer in an oriole feeder:
- Orange halves or orange slices
- Grapes cut in half
- Mealworms
- Nectar
- Oriole jelly
- Fruit jam
Nectar can be offered in specialized oriole nectar feeders. Oriole jelly and jam can be smeared onto platform feeders. Mealworms can be placed in small dishes attached to the feeder. Fruit slices and oranges are often skewered onto spikes on the feeder so the orioles can easily access them.
What are the best times of year to see orioles?
Orioles migrate from their wintering grounds in South America, Mexico, and the Caribbean to nest across much of North America for the spring and summer. Here are the peak migration and sighting times:
- Late April – Early May: Orioles arrive in northern nesting areas like Canada and the northern U.S.
- Mid May – Mid June: Height of spring migration, the best time to spot orioles moving northward
- Mid June – Early July: Orioles breeding and nesting in many parts of the U.S. and southern Canada
- July: Young orioles fledge and join parents visiting feeders
- August: Beginning of fall migration as orioles head back south
Putting up feeders and oriole-friendly foods beginning in late April will be most likely to attract any passing migratory orioles. Leaving feeders up through the summer nesting season provides food sources for breeding adults and fledglings. Peak activity at oriole feeders is from about May through July across most of the U.S. and Canada.
What type of feeder will attract orioles?
Here are some tips for selecting an oriole feeder that will attract these brightly colored birds:
- Choose an open, platform style feeder with plenty of perches and access points so multiple orioles can feed at once.
- Select a feeder made from bright, visible colors like orange or yellow that will stand out to orioles.
- Pick a feeder with ports for skewers to insert orange slices and other fruits.
- Select a feeder with a removable tray or dishes to offer jelly and mealworms.
- Look for a feeder that can accommodate both fruit/jelly and separate nectar ports.
- Choose a weather-resistant feeder that will last through the elements.
Orioles are shy birds that may take some time to adjust to a new feeder. Placing the feeder near trees or shrubs where the orioles can perch and watch for safety gives them time to become accustomed to it.
Where should I place an oriole feeder?
Here are some tips on the best placement for an oriole feeder:
- Hang the feeder from a tree branch, covered porch, or sturdy overhang about 5-10 feet off the ground.
- Choose a location about 8-15 feet from bushes, trees, or shrubs where orioles can perch and watch the feeder.
- Avoid placing the feeder in open spaces where predators could easily spot it.
- Select a spot that gets some shelter from wind, rain, and harsh sun to help preserve the nectar and jelly.
- In the summer, try to position the feeder so fledglings on nearby branches can easily get to it.
Placing the oriole feeder near flowering plants that provide nectar or fruit trees where they forage will also help attract them to it.
Will other birds eat from an oriole feeder?
Orioles are territorial and tend to chase away other bird species around their favored feeders. However, some other birds may occasionally visit an oriole feeder when the orioles are not present or not being territorial. Here are some other birds that may feed at an oriole feeder:
- American Robins – Enjoy fruit, jelly, mealworms
- Northern Cardinals – Eat grape jelly, fruit
- Tanagers – Enjoy fruit slices
- Woodpeckers – Consume oranges, mealworms
- Finches – May try grape jelly
- Hummingbirds – Will drink nectar from ports
- Blue Jays – Take oranges, grapes, jelly
To discourage other bird species, place the oriole feeder in an isolated spot away from other feeders and food sources. Adding more nectar and jelly ports also allows orioles to feed more easily among any intruders. Overall though, orioles do a good job keeping their feeder to themselves when they return each spring and summer.
When should I take down an oriole feeder?
Orioles migrate south again beginning in August through September. Here are some guidelines on when to remove an oriole feeder for the season:
- Keep the feeder up through mid-August to supply food for migrating birds.
- Take down fruit and jelly dishes by late August when wasp activity increases.
- Remove nectar ports by mid-September when hummingbird migration trails off.
- Take down the entire feeder by the end of September or once you notice oriole activity has stopped.
- Leaving feeders up into October and November will likely only attract other bird species.
Taking down the oriole feeder and cleaning it thoroughly before storing it away for winter will help prevent mold, spoilage, and sticking. Then the feeder will be ready to put up again next spring when the orioles return!
Tips for attracting more orioles to your feeder
Here are some useful tips to follow to increase your chances of orioles visiting and using your feeder:
- Set up the feeder before migrating orioles arrive in mid-April to early May so it’s established.
- Use bright, sweet jellies and nectars to appeal to their tastes.
- Offer favored fruits like oranges, grapes, bananas, and berries.
- Avoid letting the nectar ferment by changing it every few days.
- Provide some leafy, protective cover near the feeder for shelter.
- Spread crushed eggshells around the feeder for extra calcium.
- Add mealworms and live insects for babies and nesting adults.
- Position flowers and berry bushes nearby to supply additional food.
- Use grape jelly to start if you’re not sure which flavor they’ll prefer.
- Clean and move the feeder occasionally to prevent contamination.
With patience and the right techniques, you can turn your yard into an oriole hotspot. The sight of these stunning birds against the green landscape will be worth the effort!
Common mistakes when setting up oriole feeders
It’s easy to make some mistakes when trying to attract orioles to a new feeder. Here are some common errors and solutions:
Mistake | Solution |
---|---|
Putting out the feeder too late in spring | Set up the feeder by early-mid April before migration peaks |
Placing the feeder in a wide open spot | Orioles prefer feeders near trees or shrubs for safety |
Letting the nectar ferment | Change nectar every 2-3 days |
Using plain sugar water | Make nectar with a ratio of 1 part sugar to 4 parts water |
Using the wrong jelly flavor | Grape jelly is the best starter flavor |
Neglecting the fruit | Change out fruit every 1-2 days as it spoils |
Avoiding these common mistakes will increase your success at turning your backyard into an oriole pitstop.
Conclusion
Orioles are stunning songbirds that bring vibrant color to backyards across much of North America each spring and summer. Setting up a specialized oriole feeder stocked with sweet nectar, jellies, fruits, and mealworms will likely attract several species to your yard. Feeders placed near trees and bushes provide safety for these shy birds. With the right practices, placement, and patience you can entice orioles to feed in your yard during their breeding season. Observing the striking red, orange, and black plumage of orioles coming to your feeder will be an exciting and rewarding experience!