Attracting Orioles

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When we think of orioles, most people think of a vibrantly colored black and orange bird, but there are six species of orioles in the US, and they are all different. The males usually have a black back, wings, head or face combined with variations of yellow or orange. The eastern Baltimore Oriole is a rich orange, while the Bullock's is more orange-yellow. The beautiful Scott's Oriole is a brilliant lemon yellow in contrast to the Orchard Oriole that is a rusty chestnut color. Male orioles don't attain their fully colored plumage until their second fall. During their first year, male orioles more closely resemble the female of the species. In general, the females have less black plumage and a more subdued hue, many of them with yellow and olive coloring. At one time the names Baltimore and Bullock's Oriole were both changed to be called the Northern Oriole because they frequently hybridize where their territories overlap. However, after more recent testing, ornithologists have now decided that the birds really are quite different after all--so the names were changed back!

Named after similar looking birds of the Old World, orioles aren't true orioles at all, but are more closely related to blackbirds and meadowlarks. Neo-tropical, they spend their winters in Central and South American and birders eagerly await their return to the north each spring. They are often seen in areas where willows, cherry trees, elms or poplars grow. Orioles build hanging, gourd-shaped nests, usually at the end of a branch and lined with a variety of plant fibers. In fact, because of the shape of the nest, the oriole is sometimes nicknamed Hang-nest. While the Baltimore Oriole will raise only one brood per year, the Scott's Oriole may sometimes attempt to raise three. Orioles have a varied diet--their primary foods being a wide variety of insects, flower nectar and fruit.

Orioles can easily be lured to your yard with special feeders made just for them. Just as goldfinches seem to be attracted to the color yellow, orioles are attracted to orange colored feeders and foods such as orange halves and oriole nectar, and they also relish grape jelly and even bananas, pears and apples. You don't need to hang their feeders away from other birds. Orioles don't seem to be particularly shy and will readily dine in the company of other birds. Many oriole feeders are designed to feed all three of their favorite foods; fruit, nectar and jelly. If you do feed fruit or grape jelly, be sure to replace it daily, as sun and rain can make it go moldy quickly. And as with hummingbird nectar, be sure to change the oriole nectar about once a week, more frequently in hot weather--and always clean the feeder before you refill. You can make your own nectar solution by using 1 part sugar to 6 parts water (a weaker solution than hummingbird nectar). We recommend you boil the water first, add the sugar and stir until dissolved, then let the solution cool. You can store the nectar in the refrigerator until you're ready to use it.

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Posted at Friday, March 28, 2008 01:04 PM
In Wild Bird Feeding Category | Permalink

Comments
(Total 6)

To K. Scheloske:

Duncraft is in the business of wild bird feeding, not with domestic or captured birds. The Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 between the US and Great Britain and now various other countries makes it unlawful to capture or in any way interfere with migratory birds, their nests and eggs, among many other stipulations. It's primary goal was to stop the exportation of US migratory birds. Any violation of the Act is considered a felony and is punishable by fine and/or imprisonment. Any orioles you may have in Germany must be descended from birds obtained before the Migratory Bird Treaty Act became law. You can find complete information about the Act on the internet.
Duncraft

Posted by Ocean on Monday, May 5, 2008 12:24 PM

Dave,

Orioles build hanging, open nests at the tops of very tall trees. Other than putting out nesting materials (please click on the link to Plant fibers to see), I don't know of any other way to encourage orioles to nest. A platform wouldn't do it. It mostly depends on the kinds of trees you have in the area and how tall they are.
Duncraft

Posted by Ocean on Monday, May 5, 2008 12:00 PM

Location is S. Central New Mexico, 40 miles from Mexican border.

We have had a number of pairs of Scott's Orioles making summer residence and brooding young for about 5 years.

We feed regularly, but have been told we might be able to attract them to nest at our site by putting out the appropriate material and structure(?) for them to build nests on.

Can anyone help with information as to what we need to provide.

We also see an occasional Bullock's oriole, but they seem to be itinerant and stay only a shortwhile.

Thanks

Dave Williams

Posted by Dave Williams on Monday, April 28, 2008 05:11 PM

Dear Sir,
as a bird breeder in Germany I was very interested to read about the Oriol's. Your information expanded my knowledge about the Oriols which we do not find in Germany in the special breed Clubs for birds.I never have seen one of this birds at bird shows. Is it possible that Baltimore Oriols or other species of Oriols can't be kept in Countries with wintertime? Or do you know breeders of this bird species in Europe? We also look at another species - the Phoenix Cardinal - where we have only a very,very small breed poulation.
This species is a rest of the Imports in the past. Although we breed some of this species in warm houses in the past, now the population go's back because nobody offered it. I think the regulations of import to Europe are the reason they reduced our breed population.If you know a solution or where in Europe imports the requested Oriol's and Cardinals, it will be helpful for the german bird breeder to know more about.
A small part of reliable breeders are interested to find Oriol's and new blood lines for the Poenix Cardinals.
Thank you very much,for let me have your answer.
Sincerely Yours
K.Scheloske

Posted by Scheloske on Tuesday, April 29, 2008 04:56 AM

I have been hearing the Orioles since March. So I put our feeder out quite early. I've yet to see one visit the feeders. Patience is a virtue I guess.

Posted by Karen on Thursday, May 8, 2008 11:19 AM

We have many Orials that come every year. They come about the time Hummingbirds come April 15th or so. I put out oranges on our Deck post on to a nail and watch them eat out the inside of the orange I buy a sack a week and that may not be enough. They are so beautiful and I also like to listen to them early in the morning.

Posted by Josee on Saturday, May 10, 2008 03:08 PM