If you love nature and all it has to offer then it is most likely you’ve noticed a beautifully colored bird called an Oriole at some point in time. Oriole’s are very popular due to the fantastic bright colors they can be. Many people love to attract finch’s to there house for the same reason.
Oriole’s are a little bit bigger than a finch and similar in size to a robin. So how can you attract these beautiful birds right in your backyard and once you have successfully done this which of the five types of oriole’s is it?
Like many birds, Oriole’s flock south for the winter in which they can be found in places like Central America, Mexico and the southern parts of places like Florida. So you likely wont be able to find an Oriole until spring rolls around.
The key is start early so you can catch the attention of an oriole as they migrate back north in the early spring.
As with many types of birds, oriole’s like tall trees in which they build there nests. You’ll find this frequently as being up high helps keep the eggs away from its predators. Once established, oriole’s can take up to two weeks to construct there nests.
Once a nest is constructed, oriole’s tend to have 3-5 eggs at a time. Once hatched the young one’s stay in the next for about two weeks prior to being big enough to take off on there own. Oriole’s tend to also have 2-3 batch’s of eggs in one season.
Outside of trees for oriole’s to make a home for the summer it is also helpful to have a good food source for them as well. While they like to eat insects and fruit they also enjoy the same nectar that humming birds do.
To help attract oriole’s you can mix up your own nectar to put out for food. To do this, boil four parts of water to one part sugar. After mixing well take it off the heat and set it aside to cool.
Once cool, fill the feeder and you are all set to put it outside early spring to start attracting oriole’s in which you can probably also spot some cool humming birds.
Oriole’s tend to flock back north in the early spring so it is best to start putting the feeders out in late March or early April. Other things that oriole’s like to eat is fruit. So planting things like orange trees or fruit trees will be sure to assist attracting these beautiful birds.
Many even recommend cutting an orange in half and either setting them out or hanging them from branches for the birds to eat.
Another item that oriole’s like to eat is jelly. Jelly is an easy item to pick up at the store and doesn’t take anytime to prep like nectar. It would even be recommended to grab jelly in a squeeze bottle in which you wont even have any dish’s after.
Studies also have shown that oriole’s like the color orange. When putting the nectar out for the birds try to find one that is designed for oriole’s, preferably one that is orange. You can also plant orange flowers to help attract them.
One other thing that oriole’s need, just like the rest of us, is water. Place the feeder next to a bird bath out in the open so they are both easily spotted from the sky. Don’t forget, they love the color orange so an orange feeder would be best.
Oriole’s also prefer to eat out in the open so placing a feeder under a tree or porch overhang might deter them along with making it harder for the food to be found.
5 Types of Oriole’s That Can Be Found in the US
The Baltimore Oriole is most commonly found in the east in which they only breed in the north part. When they are south they do not breed over the winter month’s. For more specific information on the Baltimore Oriole and the sounds the song birds make check out more specifics here.
The Bullock’s Oriole is most commonly found in the west. Similar to the Baltimore oriole, the Bullock’s only breed in the summer months while in the North. One cool thing about the Bullock’s is that the male and female can actually be distinguished due to the different types of singing. For even more specifics check out “allaboutbirds”.
Hooded Oriole’s are most commonly found further South. They don’t migrate up towards Michigan, Illinois or Canada. Hooded Oriole’s are more commonly found in southern California or Texas area. For more specifics on the Hooded Oriole’s check out Audubon.
Orchard Oriole are a more wide spread bird. They can be found in central parts of the US all the way to the East coast. The orchard oriole can even be found in the southern part of Canada during the summer months.
These types of oriole’s are more of a maroon color than orange which really makes them stand out. For more on the lovely sounds they can make check out eBird.
Scott’s Oriole are similar to the hooded oriole which is most commonly found further South. They don’t usually migrate to far North in the US. The Scott’s Oriole stands out in color as well due to the beautiful yellow color they have.
For more specific’s on the Scott’s Oriole check out neotropical birds site.
Conclusion
While there are multiple types of oriole’s you’ll be sure to attract them right to your own backyard if you provide them with the proper food, water & spaces to nest and live. Supplying them with nectar, fruits or jelly will make for a happy bird.
Outside of providing oriole’s the proper food, water and spaces to nest and live don’t forget they love the color orange. Try to incorporate the orange color in bird feeder, bath and even flowers around the yard.
While they may not show the first year, don’t give up and you’ll be sure to start seeing them right in your own yard by following these easy tips and tricks.
Ben has a bachelor’s degree in construction engineering. When not constructing or remodeling X-Ray Rooms, Cardiovascular Labs, and Pharmacies, you can find him at home with wife and two daughters. Outside of family, He loves grilling and barbequing on his Big Green Egg and Blackstone Griddle, as well as working on projects around the house.
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