Baltimore Oriole

Baltimore Oriole is a Great Backyard Bird

The Baltimore Oriole is native to North, Central, and South America. They spend spring through summer in eastern North America. In the Fall, Orioles migrate to Central America and the Northern part of South America, where they spend the fall and winter months.

These brightly colored birds are fun to watch. They are popular among birders and backyard enthusiasts. They can be attracted to your backyard, by placing a bright orange Baltimore Oriole feeder in your backyard. Baltimore Orioles are 7-8 inches and are smaller than robins. They have black tails, tipped with orange, and an orange chest and belly.

Baltimore Oriole Identification

Baltimore Orioles are easy to spot. Their bright orange belly is an easy giveaway.

Male Baltimore Orioles have a bright orange belly, black head, and one white bar on their black wings.

The female has a much duller orange chest, fading to a white-ish belly. Her head is grayish, and she has 2 bold white stripes (or bars) on her wings. See more Baltimore Oriole pictures.

Lifespan

Baltimore Orioles live up to 11 years in the wild. They can live even longer in captivity.

Baltimore Oriole Diet and Habitat

Baltimore Orioles dwell in the edges of deciduous woodlands. These birds do not go far into deep forests. They are commonly found in parks and backyards, favoring shade trees.

The female oriole builds a nest that is shaped like a hanging basket. She typically lays four grayish-colored eggs. eggs.

The Baltimore Oriole’s diet includes:

Nectar
Fruit – Oranges are their favorite. In addition, they also eat apples, berries, and a wide variety of other fruit. Try hanging orange an apple halves around shade trees.
Insects – The birds can often be spotted high up on a shade tree, in search of insects.
Peanut Butter
Jelly

Orioles will be found at Hummingbird feeders. Hummingbird feeder ports are small for their beaks. Bright orange Baltimore Oriole nectar feeders, which have bigger feeding ports, do a better job attracting them and keeping them in your backyard.

Oriole Nectar Ingredients. You can make your own nectar using one part sugar to 7 parts water. (Much less sugar than a hummingbird feeder). Store nectar mixes are usually orange-flavored, a treat for these birds.

See Bird Feeding Chart.