Inviting the colorful oriole into your backyard can is easy when using specially made bird feeders and offering fruits and berries. Read on for more information on how to attract this beautiful bird!
About orioles
The oriole, a perching bird and part of the blackbird family is always a welcome visitor in anyone's backyard. Orioles are generally perching birds. They have clear calls and are very good mimics. The new world orioles are beautifully colored birds, mostly a mix of black and orange. They normally feed on insects but they also eat fruits, like berries or orange halves, mulberries, cherries, mountain ash, serviceberries, brambles, nuts and figs.
Orioles prefer to stay in open woodlands, along rivers with tall trees and shrubby underbrush. They adapt well to yards, parks and trees along streets. They are partial to nesting in tall poplars, cottonwoods and willows.
Oriole bird feeders
Manufacturers have started to produce bird feeders specifically designed for orioles since these birds have become regular visitors to hummingbird feeders. Oriole feeders are traditionally colored orange, and can hold a supply of artificially prepared nectar. They are designed to serve new world Orioles, which have a distinctly shaped beak and tongue.
An ideal oriole feeder should have the same features as that of a hummingbird feeder. It should include an ant moat and bee guards.
Attracting orioles
Try to start early when feeding orioles, this way you can attract the migrating males. You should offer slices of fresh orange set close to your nectar feeder to entice them. Here are other tips to help you invite orioles into your backyard.
1. Prepare nectar feeders, with your nectar solution prepared with 1/6 cup of sugar mixed with 1 cup boiling water.
2. Place orange halves firmly on tree branches. You can use a specially designed oriole bird feeder or a fruit holder.
3. Offer orange marmalade or grape and apple jelly.
4. Prepare chopped pears and apples with orange halves. Place on a platform bird feeder or fruit feeder.
5. Try preparing orange or berry flavored suet to invite orioles to come to your suet feeder.
6. Have some berry producing plants available in your backyard.
7. Have a source of clean water available for bathing and drinking.
Reminders!
- Replace your nectar regularly, at least once a week and more frequently during the summer.
- If possible, locate your feeder in an area out of the sun.
- When replacing the nectar, clean your feeder using a gentle detergent and rinse thoroughly.
- Orioles don't eat seeds, so they won't be attracted to ordinary bird feeders.
Available bird feeders
There are several bird feeders available in the market today. Here are some feeders that are specially designed to suit orioles.
- Oriole Bird Feeders on Backyard Bird Watchers
- Aspects Oriole Bird Feeder
- This bird feeder includes a moat, nectar scale, solid brass-hanging rod and is highly durable and very easy to clean. It has four feeding ports with built-in perches.
- Perky Pet Oriole Bird Feeder
- This feeder has three feeding stations, with a No-Drip feeding base and orange slice décor to invite orioles.
- This site offers a number of oriole bird feeders.
- Oriole Bird Feeders at Wild Birds Forever
- This site offers a wide variety of bird feeders, books and nectar.
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