From their ebullient colors to their mellifluous songs, orioles are among the most prized and cherished backyard birds. Orioles are found across America in a range of different species, such as Baltimore Orioles, Bullock’s Orioles, Hooded Orioles, Orchard Orioles or others. However, they all have one thing in common: They’re more than willing to venture into your backyard.
If you’re interested in bringing these beautiful birds to your yard, here are some tips.
Provide food like oranges and jelly
Orioles don’t eat from seed feeders like most birds. They prefer foods that are much sweeter, like fruits, jelly, nectar and flowers. Getting an oriole feeder like the Bird’s Choice Oriole Feeder allows you to easily put orange slices and grape jelly for orioles to eat. Since the food goes bad quicker, it’s important to clean the feeder often.
Orioles have been known to eat mealworms and occasionally from hummingbird feeders as well.
Another more long-term method to get orioles in your yard is to plant fruit trees bushes with berries.
Get a bird bath
Just like all birds, the key to attracting orioles is to have a water source. Offering a simple bird bath is enough to lure the orange, yellow and black birds into your yard.
Make sure your yard is safe and has cover
Another quality that orioles appreciate is safety. Providing a bushy area with a lot of natural cover will help orioles feel more comfortable in your yard, and they will therefore feel more compelled to eat from your feeders.
Have bright colors in your yard
Whether you’re hanging strips of orange ribbon on the oriole feeder or planting brightly colored flowers, orioles are more likely to come to your yard if they see colors.
Be patient
It’s important to give the notoriously shy orioles some time to find your feeders and venture into your yard. Some orioles have specific preferences. For example, they might be more inclined to eat pears or drink from hummingbird feeders than eat jelly.
Please share any helpful tips you might have found by commenting below.
6 Comments
Good look. Let us know if it works!
We had so many Baltimore Orioles in our yard before our big old white mulberry tree fell. We even had one of their hanging nests in a tree right over our deck. The mulberries also attacted flocks of robins and cedar waxwings and an occasional scarlet tananger. Sure miss that tree. I’ll have to try an oriole feeder. I’ve never seen anything at our hummer feeders except humming birds.
I have never had an Oriole in my yard and I will cetainly try some of your tips. Thanks.