Welcome Back Orioles | myZeeland.com

The best time to attract orioles is early spring. You may use the same nectar you use for hummingbirds which is:

Four parts boiling water to one part sugar.

Do not use food coloring. Orange is the orioles color. They are a larger bird than the hummingbird, so make sure the perch is large enough to accommodate orioles. The best choice would be to buy a special feeder designed for orioles. Most, if not all feeders designed for orioles are colored orange. Orioles love the color and taste of oranges. It is not unusual to see an oriole try to feed from a hummingbird feeder. Unfortunately, their bills are too big.

The orioles also like grape jelly. The easiest thing is to offer a half of an orange, place it on a low branch or feeder to attract them. Add the grape jelly in a small dish or cup or even the empty orange half. Do not put too much out because it is best to keep it fresh.

Now, think like a bird. The only way to get them to come is for the oriole to see the feeder itself. Instead of placing the feeder under a canopy, awning or tree put it in the open so they can see it while flying overhead. An ideal place would be near a birdbath or a bubbling fountain. Birds all love the sound and sight of moving water. Be prepared to attract them but do not give up, as it may take several seasons to attract them.

Is an oriole considered a friend or foe? Orioles often get a bad rap. Many farmers do not like these fliers because they go after the fruit crops. Nevertheless, for most birders, the orioles' brilliant plumage is a welcome addition to a backyard, and bird lovers will do anything possible to attract these bright songbirds.

Normally, in the Midwest, we attract the Baltimore and Orchard Orioles. Baltimore Orioles are the most common, with their stunning black and orange coloring. If you are lucky enough to attract them, enjoy their beautiful song and color while you can. They head south early, sometime by the middle of August. Whether you spot them for just a day or attract them to your yard, they are one of spring's greatest treasures.

*Now is a good time to scatter a few pieces of yarn or string around your yard so the songbirds will use it for their nests. I keep the lint from the dryer to scatter around and found they also like pieces of cut grass. I am talking about ornamental grass like Carex, Fountain or Maiden Grass. There is great pleasure in finding a nest if only to see how the songbird has interwoven your yarn, string or lint into a home for its babies.

Excerpts taken from 'Birds: A Month-by Month Guide to Attracting Birds to Your Backyard'.

Remember: 'A bit of laziness doesn't make much difference when feeding birds, but with orioles, timing is everything’.

　