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Wild Bird Feeders,
Bird Houses,
Bird Baths and more
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Baltimore Oriole
Description: The Baltimore Oriole is said to be named after George Calvert, Lord Baltimore, a 17th-century nobleman whose coat of arms also used the same colors, brilliant orange and black. Its arrival is eagerly awaited by birders every spring migration. It prefers open areas with tall trees which makes it a common inhabitant of parks and suburban areas. Its breeding range stretches across North America eastward of the Rocky Mountains and it spends its winters in Florida, southern California, the Caribbean, Central Mexico, and Central America to northern South America.
Other Names: Golden Robin, Northern Oriole (a cross between the Baltimore Oriole and Bullock’s Oriole, a western species).
Color: Male Baltimore Orioles have black heads and necks and wings that are black with a white wing bar and an orange patch on the shoulder. Its under parts and rump are also orange. The female Baltimore Oriole is duller without solid black hood and appears more yellowish below.
Sound: The Baltimore Oriole’s song is a series of rich, whistled notes interspersed with rattles and Its call sounds like chatter.
Preferred Environment: The Baltimore Oriole breeds along woodland edges and open areas with scattered trees, especially deciduous trees.
Nesting Habits: The Baltimore Oriole’s nest is gourd-shaped and is suspended like a hanging basket, usually high up in a poplar or elm tree. The nest is constructed of grass, shredded bark, horse hair, string and colored yarn.
(Hang some on tree branches for them to find.)
Food Preference: Baltimore Orioles eat caterpillars, fruits,
insects, spiders and nectar.
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view oriole feeding video
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How to Attract Orioles
Orioles can become a bright and cherry addition to any backyard with their blazing orange, yellow and black plumage and joyous disposition. Seasoned birders eagerly await the return of these birds each spring, as they come back from their winter migration to Central and South America. One of the easiest ways to attract orioles to your backyard is put out fresh slices of oranges or grape jelly, as the natural diet of orioles consists of fruit, insects and nectar. Another popular option with orioles is nectar feeders. Similar to hummingbird feeders, oriole feeders have slightly larger feeding ports so the bigger orioles can get to the nectar. Also, these feeders generally come in a bright orange hue, as it has been proven that the color orange attracts these songbirds the best. Mealworms also make an excellent food source for orioles. Simply adding a small dish of them to where you place your fruit and jelly can make the difference between attracting a few orioles and the whole flock.
Because orioles are generally shyer birds, start off by placing your oriole feeders a distance from areas with high human activity and fairly close to a tree or natural hiding place. Try one or all of these feeding options and you will have these brilliant birds darting across your back yard in no time.
Suggested Baltimore Oriole Feeders
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