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Baltimore Orioles

14 years ago

Last year the Orioles came to my jelly feeder the first week in April. With this warm weather, does anyone think I should put the jelly out now? I don't want to miss them.

Also, since they came last year does that necessarily mean they will come back this year?

Thanks,Barb

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Comments (6)

tsugajunkie z5 SE WI ♱
14 years ago
You don't say where you are but I'd still say to wait. Here they show up when the apple trees start blooming. Try and recall what was blooming when they showed up last year and look for that as your trigger.

tj
Renkosiewicz
Original Author
14 years ago
Thank you tsugajunkie! I live in a western Chicago suburb. That's a really good tip. I will pay attention to what is blooming when I first see them this year. I just hope they come back.
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This is only my second year to have Orioles and I've never seen a nest. John - Do you know what kind of trees your neighbor has that they like? Last year, the Orioles stayed around for a little while and then disappeared so they must've nested in someone else's yard - not mine. This year they showed up about a week earlier than last year. I've seen as many as 4 males at a time in our dogwood tree where I've been feeding them. The females aren't around as much and I've only seen two. Here's a picture of my "Orange Tree" The darker one in the middle may be an Orchard Oriole. It was rainy. Here's a close-up of a Baltimore Oriole at the feeder.
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I think you probably should separate the strands into random lengths and thicknesses. Then again, she may want to do that herself. At least loosen them. As for color, she sought out the yellow binder twine. I have a lot of yellow plastic binder twine leftover from when my farm was hayed. I just cut it and shredded off some relatively small strands and placed it back where she had been working on it. I haven't seen her since, but now I'm seeing lots of males. I'll be putting out my jelly jars tonight. I'm experimenting w/orange marmalade (because we have a lot of it left over) and the traditional grape. I've not had any come to the halved oranges at all. I understand catbirds also come to jelly. We have a few in our fencerow and thicker woods but have never drawn them into our more open feeding area. Hopefully, we can lure them in as well as I love all their unique calls.
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donald lucius
14 years ago
i agree with the fruit trees blooming. and the seasons vary from area to area. i live at 7,000 foot elevation and we get frosts thru april into may and often blooms get zapped with the cold. the orioles and tanagers and grosbeaks sip necter from the blooms and also catch a lot of insects that the blooms attract. so when i see the trees starting to bud out i put out fruit pieces and jelly and necter in case i get some early arrivals. some colder than normal springs i have to bring in the necter feeders at night when it gets too cold.
claireplymouth z6b coastal MA
14 years ago
Here in Plymouth, MA, the orioles usually arrive within a day or two of the first Ruby-throated Hummingbirds.

You can follow the progress of the hummingbirds on the hummingbirds.net site and that may give you advance notice if the orioles are accompanying them.

Claire
joan754
14 years ago
Where is the best place to put a feeder. I want to try and attract orioles this year. I live in a small city so I don't know if I will be successful. I'm hoping maybe on their way through they will stop by. Does the feeder need to be in a tree or would an open area work? I have a shepherd's hook in my garden, close to lilac bushes that I thought I would try to hang the feeder from or would I have better luck putting the feeder in a tree? I have never seen an oriole in my yard. I understand they prefer the rural areas but I wanted to give it a try anyway.
Renkosiewicz
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks to all of you for the advice. The Hummingbird and apple blossom tips are great! To joan 754, I am by no means an expert but I was fortunate enough to attract the Orioles last year. My feeder is on a pole in the middle of my back yard. There is a huge Maple tree and a flowering crab tree in the yard. My feeder is a jelly feeder with spikes for oranges. I also put out a nectar feeder which they never touched. They loved the grape jelly and then later I put out meal worms. They ate them too. We'll see if I can get them back again this year. Hope so. Barb

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