WE WILL BE CLOSED EASTER SUNDAY MARCH 31, 2024!

*Dinner Bell Feeder discontinued

Who is in our Area?

Hooded Oriole (Adult Male)

Bullocks Oriole (Adult Male)

Scott's Oriole (Adult Male)

When do they arrive?

Orioles overwinter in Central and South America
Most Orioles arrive in March or April
Some can be seen in the area as early as late January or early February
Breeding Orioles return to the same nesting area year after year
If you become familiar with your resident orioles patterns you can time their arrivals and departures on a calendar

How can I see and attract them?

Many people first encounter Orioles visiting their Hummingbird Feeders trying to access the nectar
They are nectar drinkers that will visit plants with long tubular flowers such as Cape Honeysuckle, Orange Jubilee, and Mexican Bird of Paradise
You can attract them to your own yard by offering them hummingbird nectar in feeders large enough for them to access
They are attracted to the color orange so using orange colored feeders and domes help to get their attention
They also eat live insects and fruits such as oranges
In addition to nectar entice them to return frequently by offering live mealworms, Birdberry Jelly (Blackberry or Grape Jelly), and orange slices.

What do they eat?

Sugar Water (Hummingbird Nectar)
Live Insects (mealworms - live is more instinctual and essential for the young)
Fruits such as oranges, watermelon, elderberry, grapes, mulberries, and serviceberries
Suet such as Bark Butter, Bark Butter bits, and Naturally Nut suet dough
Blackberry or Grape jelly such as Birdberry Jelly

Will they stay?

If its the beginning of the season they may be just passing through
If they are breeding in your neighborhood they will be in the area until late Summer
If its the middle of the season you may see a juvenile who has left the nest and is in search of food

Where do they nest?

Hooded Orioles are the most commonly encountered
They build woven nests on the underside of palm fronds in tall palm trees
On occasion they may nest in trees other than palm trees if there is an abundance of food in the area

What behavior can I possibly see in my yard?

Males may display to each other by showcasing their black chins to each other, singing to each other, then chasing each other from feeders and through the yard
Both sexes can be seen gathering mouthful of worms to feed their young at the nest
Once the young are able to fly, the parents may bring them to the feeder to fed and show them where they may find food
Last years juvenile males may try to breed this year
Resident adult orioles tend to visit feeders frequently in the early morning and at dusk before sundown
Last years juvenile males are more erratic in their feeder visit timing, sometimes seen in the middle of the day
Males are often heard calling atop tall trees in their breeding area
Orioles are very shy and flee often (to return again later)
They are not territorial at feeders like hummingbirds

What do Females and Juveniles look like?

Adult Females are thick bodied with dark bills
This years juveniles look like the females but not full bodies, have pink at the base of their bill, and are awkward at the feeder
Last years juvenile males will look like the bright adult males with the black throat path but with more toned down, subdued colors
Last years juvenile males

When do they leave?

Adult Males generally leave at Summers end in August
Adult Females leave once the last of the seasons young leave the nest
The years juvenile Orioles will form into groups once they are able to find food on their own
These juvenile groups can stay as as late as September or October
Rarely one may overwinter on their breeding grounds