I consulted with my backyard birding friends, combined them with my 25+ years of expertness, and created a list of 13 tips to attract Baltimore orioles to your yard that I ’ d like to partake with you. here they are :
13 expert tips for attracting Baltimore Orioles to your yard:
- Time it right
- Offer sweet food
- Be vigilant with nectar safety
- Be cautious about grape jelly
- Be particular about choosing a bird feeder
- Make it wiggly with mealworms
- Have water available
- Plant native
- Beware of toxic trees & shrubs
- Let the branches grow
- Go organic
- Keep kitty inside
- Provide nesting materials
I ’ ll go into more detail about how to attract them but first I ’ d like to plowshare where they live, what they look like, their habitat, sounds, diet, felt, and nesting habits.
If you ’ re in a haste, feel unblock to skip ahead to the details for attracting Baltimore orioles .
Where Baltimore Orioles Live
Baltimore oriole migration, breeding, wintering map.
Baltimore orioles are migrant birds which means they travel depending on their goal – to breed, to migrate to breed, to spend winter, and wait for spring. The best time to attract orioles is when they ’ re in your area .
If you’re located within the oriole’s migration range you should attract them from April to May, when they’re migrating north, and from August to October when they’re migrating south. Most of the midwest and eastern states should entice orioles during the breeding season between May and mid-August. Between late October and early April, orioles are in their winter destination from southern Florida and further south.
- Breeding: Breeding takes place between May and mid-August. The breeding range is as far south as northern Louisiana and as far north as central Canada.
- Fall Migration: Around late August through early October, the oriole begins its migration south for the winter.
- Winter: Baltimore orioles winter in central and South America between late October and early April.
- Spring Migration: From April to May they make the trip north to breed for the summer months of June – late August.
What do Baltimore Orioles Look Like ?
Male Baltimore oriole. Photo by Lonnie Gilstrap.
Baltimore orioles are credibly the most acknowledge bird in the area after the cardinal .
They ’ re medium-sized birds about 8.25″ long – close in size to the cardinal but good 5″ short .
male Baltimore orioles have flaming orange bodies and black heads with black and white flank bars. The buttocks is orange with black and white streaks .
Female Baltimore oriole. Photo by Donna Cooper.
The female and juvenile birds have pale scandalmongering heads and bodies with grey-brown wings and egg white fly bars .
Both genders have a gray bill and dark eyes .
The Baltimore old world oriole is one of eight different new world oriole species. The other seven include the Orchard new world oriole, Bullock new world oriole, Hooded new world oriole, Scott ’ sulfur new world oriole, Altamira old world oriole, Audubon ’ randomness old world oriole, and Spot-Breasted old world oriole .
Male Hooded Oriole.
Photo by Laurie Hillyer.
Male Orchard Oriole.
Photo by AJ Small.
Male Bullock Oriole.
Photo by Nicole Wilde.
Juvenile male Bullock’s oriole. Photo by Joy Adams Photography. Check her out on Instagram.
There are hints of resemblance across the different new world oriole species but hush easy to distinguish them apart .
besides, since the bullock and hooded orioles live on the west side of the complex number production line we drew earlier, you ’ ll never see them with a Baltimore new world oriole .
conversely, the hooded and Baltimore orioles live in closely the lapp range ( the grove does not go as far north as Canada but does go far west into Texas ) so you have a good find of seeing both .
habitat
Like most wildlife, Baltimore orioles gravitate to areas that offer their choose foods in abundance including insects, fruit, and nectar .
They breed in woodlands ample with high, deciduous shade trees – ideal for their unique nesting method as you ’ ll soon learn. Their predilection is the outskirts of the woods rather than deep inside .
They frequently nest near natural water system sources such as ponds and rivers .
Their natural habitat includes residential areas as well .
Diet & Feeding Behavior
In the crazy, Baltimore orioles primarily eat insects, berries, and nectar from flowers .
Insects are chiefly consumed during the reproduction season ( June through late August ) when protein is needed for growing babies. According to All About Birds, insects they ’ ve been known to eat admit beetles, crickets, grasshoppers, moths, flies, and spiders .
We can all thank them for chowing down on these annoying bugs as well : tent caterpillars, romany moth caterpillars, fall webworms, and spinous elm caterpillars .
In readiness for migration, the primary food source Baltimore orioles will ingest high-carb food such as nectar and fruit. These sugary foods convert to fat cursorily providing much-needed energy for the trip .
similar to hummingbirds, orioles will drink nectar boodle water offered in backyard feeders. Having slightly of a “ odoriferous beak ”, orioles are besides easily lured by the sight smells of fruit ( like oranges ) and grape gelatin .
What do Baltimore Orioles Sound Like ?
Baltimore Oriole Song
Baltimore Oriole Song.
Audio compliments of Macaulay Library
Baltimore Oriole Call
Baltimore Oriole Call.
Audio compliments of Macaulay Library
Mating, Nesting, Eggs & Fledglings
Mating begins with the male Baltimore new world oriole calling to defend its nest district. Check out this video recording showing their call and “ flamboyant ” dance routine .
The female chooses a nest web site within the territory of her mate and when they ’ ra expect, she constructs a 4-6″ hang long purse-style nest suspended on the end of a pitchfork branch .
Baltimore Oriole nest. Photo by Jeffrey Hamilton on Unsplash
The nest is an elaborate piece of art woven with long plant fibers, animal fur, grasses, and other implant materials. The branch is thin adequate to hold the nest but not strong enough to support a squirrel, crow, or other dastard predators out to harm the nest .
Baltimore old world oriole couples have good one grizzle per year each consist of 4-5 blue eggs with brown university markings .
The female incubates the eggs for about 12-14 days. Both male and female Baltimore new world oriole feed the young until they are fix to leave the nest about 12-14 days after hatching .
Predators
Baltimore orioles can fall raven to other birds including crows, owl, blue jays, and magpies adenine well as small mammals including squirrels, foxes, and of class, cats .
13 Expert Tips to Attract Baltimore Orioles to Your Yard Safely
1. Time it right
The inaugural keystone tip to attract Baltimore orioles is to know when the bird will be in your area so you know when to be ready for them. Because they ’ rhenium migrant birds they don ’ metric ton stay in one place for long. Depending on the time of the year they could be anywhere between South America and Canada .
- Winter: Baltimore orioles winter in central and South America.
- Spring Migration: From April to May they make the trip north to breed for the summer months of June – late August.
- Breeding: The breeding range is as far south as northern Louisiana and as far north as central Canada.
- Fall Migration: Around late August through early October, the oriole begins its migration south for the winter and starts the cycle all over again in April.
2. offer angelic Food
Baltimore orioles love dulcet do. You can easily entice this bird with oranges, nectar, and standard grocery store grape jelly .
Female Baltimore oriole. Photo by Donna Cooper.
Oranges
Oranges are a favored of Baltimore orioles and many other fruit-loving birds. It doesn ’ t take anything special to lure them in. Simply cut an orange in half or sections and set it out on a ledge .
Of course, you can besides opt for a eater specific for oranges. many even place them in suet cages which work equitable fine. merely remember to keep the fruit fresh. After a couple of days or if no fruit remains, toss it .
According to Cornell University, unlike robins and other fruit-loving birds, orioles prefer brilliantly, dark-colored good fruit such as oranges – don ’ t annoy with pale fruits like park grapes and jaundiced cherries .
shockingly, the color orange is besides appealing to them. Imagine that !
Nectar
Sugar water nectar is best offered in a eater specifically designed for it such as the photograph below ( minus the crimson dye in the ambrosia ). Hummingbirds are happy to share this bounty with orioles .
I couldn’t resist sharing this clever shot of a Baltimore oriole. This photo was taken before claims of red dye dangers surfaced. Please skip adding red dye to bird nectar. It’s just not necessary. Photo by AJ Small.
Grape Jelly
A tablespoon of grape jelly is plenty to lure these orange beauties in. many nectar feeders come with a small smasher specifically designed for the gelatin. Any serve will do good fine good make sure it ’ second fastened down differently they may knock it over .
Be certain to follow safety guidelines when offering fruit, ambrosia, and jellify. ( touch : Keep read ) .
3. Be argus-eyed with nectar safety
Feeder nectar is basically carbohydrate water. When making your own nectar the following guidelines are imperative to safely feeding Baltimore orioles a well as other nectar-loving birds :
Only Use Plain White Pure Cane Granulated Sugar
only use plain white arrant cane granulated carbohydrate – never use early sweeteners such as beloved, syrup, powdered sugar, artificial sweeteners, or other types of sweeteners. The photograph below deplorably illustrates the results of using an alternative bait – honey.
Read more : Two years later, Orioles prospects acquired in Manny Machado trade have progress stalled by shutdown
This hummingbird drank nectar likely made with honey causing her tongue not to be able to retract. Sadly, this bird will not survive as a result.
Mix a 1:4 Ratio of Sugar-Water
Most experts agree a 1:4 proportion of sugar to water system makes the best and safest concoction of sugar-water ambrosia. here ’ s a bare recipe :
dim-witted Sugar-Water Nectar Recipe
- 1/4 cup plain white granulated sugar
- 1 cup hot water
Mix together until sugar is dissolved. After room temperature is reached attention deficit disorder to the eater .
Skip the Red Dye
Adding crimson dye to bird nectar is a hot subject. many people claim adding loss dye to the nectar causes cancer, adversely impacts hummingbird eggs, and/or causes other harmful effects .
I haven ’ deoxythymidine monophosphate been able to find any legitimate studies proving these claims. however, better safe than regretful. Just skip the red dye.
It ’ randomness just not necessary. Yes, many birds are attracted to the semblance red but that can be achieved by using a crimson eater .
Change Nectar Frequently
To avoid causing your backyard dame friends to become ill, provide fresh nectar every few days, and decidedly once it becomes cloudy. besides :
- In hot weather, it may be necessary to change the nectar daily.
- Thoroughly wash and rinse the nectar feeder after each nectar change.
4. Be timid about grape jelly
Baltimore orioles and other sweet-loving birds are easily lured in with grape jelly. This day and age of low-carb, Keto, and other carbohydrate-related diets have caused our grocery store store shelves to be stocked with an array of low-sugar, sugar-free, and jellify with alternative sweeteners .
alone offer regular grape jelly and avoid low-sugar, sugar-free, or alternatively sweetened jelly as they do not provide the carbohydrates birds need for energy .
I ’ ve not found any proof that these alternative grape jellies are inherently bad for wildlife but why mess with a good thing ? People have been feeding grape gelatin to Baltimore orioles for decades without any acknowledge issues .
5. Be particular about choosing a bird feeder
If you attract Baltimore orioles it ’ s your duty to ensure their health and base hit. Manufacturers certain do a great job these days of designing craftily crafted and downright cool-looking boo feeders but beware because not all styles are dependable for Baltimore orioles, or any shuttlecock for that matter .
In finical, deep and long feeders that hold grape jelly have been known to injure or kill jelly-loving birds such as orioles. The bird tries to get access to the jelly, which requires them to about climb into the jar and ultimately get stick. I won ’ thyroxine go into the bloodstained details but I think you get the mental picture. This style of feeder is dangerous .
Shallow is your best bet when offering this cover. In fact, you only need to offer 1 tablespoon of jelly at a meter .
6. Make it sinuate with Mealworms
Attract Baltimore orioles with mealworms. They ’ re actually the larva of the mealworm overhang and since one of the Baltimore old world oriole ’ randomness favorite food is insects – this food is ideal and easy to offer .
be mealworms are normally available at your local nature storehouse and dehydrated varieties are available on-line angstrom well as at the local nature storehouse .
Dehydrated mealworms stopping point longer, require no sustenance, and are cheaper but sometimes take orioles longer to realize they are actually food, delaying their visit to your yard .
Mealworms can be placed in a dish – barely make certain the cup of tea has sides when offering live ones otherwise they ’ ll ascent out and elude !
7. Have water available
Bullock oriole enjoys a water source. Photo by Nicole Wilde.
All birds need water to drink and bathe in. Attract Baltimore orioles and many other forms of wildlife with water. If a natural source of water is not available nearby study installing a pond – even a little patio pond will fascinate hazardous birds .
A birdbath is another viable option. Birds are drawn to moving water thus adding a fountain to the birdbath could increase your chances of engaging one .
8. Plant native
You don ’ t have to have a boo feeder to attract birds. Attract them with plants !
native plants are particularly ideal because they don ’ thymine require particular treatment to thrive and produce yield and nectar. Non-native plants frequently require toxic fertilizers and pesticides which can kill birds .
During the fall and early form when insects are scarce, many birds, including Baltimore orioles, trust on the fruit from trees, shrubs, and vines for substance .
Planting native fruit trees that produce bright and deep-colored fruits ( such as mulberries, cherries, and purple grapes ) and nectar-producing flowers ( such as raspberries, crab apples, and trumpet vines ) are tasty treats that will lure orioles class after year .
here are some ideas for native plants Baltimore orioles love :
Trees
- American Holly
- Black Cherry
- Cascara Buckthorn
- Mountain Ash
- Dogwood – Silky, Flowering, Gray, Red Osier, Alt. Leaf
- Pin Cherry
- Red Mulberry
- Serviceberry
- Flowering Dogwood
Shrubs
- Blackberry
- Raspberry
- Chokeberry
- Chokecherry
- Dogwood shrubs
- Elderberry
- Shadbush
- Snowberry
- Viburnums
- Bayberry
- Blackhaw
- Cotoneaster
- Highbush Cranberry
- Holly
- Mistletoe
- Sumac
- Highbush blueberry
- Nannyberry
- Winterberry
9. Beware of toxic trees & shrubs
not all of mother nature is kind to wild birds. According to Northwest Bird Rescue, the plants listed below are toxic to wild birds. Keep your feather friends condom by keeping your thousand clear of them .
| Toxic Plant | Toxic part(s) |
| Avocado (Persea americana) | Pit, leaves, unripe fruit, stems |
| Black locust (Robina pseudoacacia) | Bark, leaves, seeds |
| Blue-green algae (Microcystis aeruginosa) | All parts |
| Calla lily (Zantedeschia aethiopiea) | All parts |
| Castor bean (Ricinus communis) | All parts |
| Christmas cherry (Solanum pseudocapsicum) | All parts including tubers and unripened fruit |
| Coffee beans, (Sesbania drumundii), Tea, Chocolate Beans (coffee) | Leaves (tea), all chocolates especially dark |
| Diffenbachia (Diffenbachia spp.) | All parts |
| Eggplant (Solanum melongena) | Stem, leaves, sprouts (ripe fruits are OK) |
| Elephant’s ear (Colocasia or Alocasia spp.) | All parts |
| Ergot (Claviceps purpurea) | All parts |
| Foxglove (Digitalis pupurea) | The entire plant, including water from a pot or vase |
| Jerusalem cherry (Solanum pseudocapsicum) | All parts, including tubers, sprouts, and unripe berries |
| Jimsonweed (Datura spp.) | All parts, especially seeds and leaves |
| Lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis) | All parts |
| Locoweed (Astragalus emoryanus) | Leaves |
| Milkweed (Asclepias spp.) | All parts and latex (milky juice) |
| Mistletoe (Phoradendron villosum) | All parts, especially holly berries |
| Nightshade (Solanum spp.) | All parts |
| Oak (Quercus spp.) | All parts |
| Oleander (Nerium oleander) | All parts |
| Philodendron (Philodendron scandens) | All parts, including roots |
| Pokeweed (Phytolacca americana) | Roots, leaves, berries |
| Potatoes (Solanum tuberosum) | Stem, leaves, sprouts, green skins |
| Rhododendron (Rhodedendron simsii), Rhododendron species (Azalea) | All parts |
| Tobacco (Nicotiana spp.) | All parts |
| Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) | Stem, leaves, sprouts (ripe fruits are OK) |
| Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolio) | Berries, leaves |
| Yew (Taxus media) | Wood, bark, seeds, leaves |
10. Let the Branches grow
To attract Baltimore orioles, try to resist the urge to trim the branches on your deciduous trees. rather, allow them to grow long because this bird builds a long hempen purse-like nest at the ends of farseeing branches .
This is a apt access to avert predators that are besides heavy to reach the slender end of the arm where the nest hangs .
11. Go organic
Avoid using chemicals in and around your yards such as grass fertilizer and pesticides. When you attract Baltimore orioles and other fantastic birds, they naturally consume insects as their chief source of food. If you kill the insects, there won ’ metric ton be any to eat .
evenly atrocious would be death by poisoning in the case of a fantastic shuttlecock eating a toxic worm !
12. Keep kitty inside
Sure, kitty looks sweet until you let him outside and his animal instincts kick in! Photo by Amber Kipp
A primary predator of birds everywhere is cat – house cats. This includes feral cats that can roam a neighborhood. If you plan to attract Baltimore orioles, you must ensure they ’ rhenium safe from domestic depredation .
According to a report published in Nature Communications, each year about 4 billion wild birds lose their lives to outdoor cats. not entirely does this rock the ecology it makes your yard unappealing and dangerous for many forms of wildlife .
If it ’ s your guy, keep it inside. Don ’ deoxythymidine monophosphate be fooled. even the nicest and sweetest of kitties have the natural instinct to hunt birds. It ’ s not their fault .
If it ’ s a feral big cat follow through a non-toxic hindrance method acting such as scatter fresh orange or lemon peels in the area .
If you ’ re in truth gung holmium, consider trapping the feral feline and taking it to a human society that offers barren neutering/spaying. This may prevent the next person from having to deal with a feral kat at their feeder .
13. Provide Nesting Materials
You can attract Baltimore orioles by making it easier for them to find the natural plant materials they require to build their funky hanging nest .
Pet fur is ideal arsenic well as short pieces of string remnants. Trying putting them in an empty suet cage and hanging them near deciduous trees where they ’ ll build their nest .
caution : Never provide human hair as birds can get tangled in it .
next Steps
I think you ’ ll agree what a shudder it would be to see an old world oriole in your yard ! Take and apply some of the tips I provided or if you ’ re actually serious about inviting them to your yard – apply all of them ! commodity fortune and felicitous bird !
Read more : A Baltimore Oriole Who Didn’t Migrate
frequently Asked Questions
What is the deviation between a Bullock new world oriole and a Baltimore old world oriole ?
The Bullock old world oriole crop is in the western function of the nation while the Baltimore new world oriole is in the easterly part. besides, male Bullock orioles have an orange face while the Baltimore old world oriole ’ mho boldness is black. other than that, the color is like .
how to tell a female Baltimore old world oriole from a freshman male
The female Baltimore new world oriole and freshman male Baltimore new world oriole look similar – both have faded yellow bodies. The remainder is the female ’ second head is besides faded scandalmongering while the adolescent ’ mho oral sex is black .
I am broadly interested in how human activities influence the ability of wildlife to persist in the modified environments that we create.
Specifically, my research investigates how the configuration and composition of landscapes influence the movement and population dynamics of forest birds. Both natural and human-derived fragmenting of habitat can influence where birds settle, how they access the resources they need to survive and reproduce, and these factors in turn affect population demographics. Most recently, I have been studying the ability of individuals to move through and utilize forested areas which have been modified through timber harvest as they seek out resources for the breeding and postfledging phases. As well I am working in collaboration with Parks Canada scientists to examine in the influence of high density moose populations on forest bird communities in Gros Morne National Park. Many of my projects are conducted in collaboration or consultation with representatives of industry and government agencies, seeking to improve the management and sustainability of natural resource extraction.
