Attract Orioles to Feeders
The Baltimore Oriole summers in the northeastern United States ranging from Texas, Louisiana and Virginia to southern Canada and overwinters in Florida and Mexico. This striking bird features a black cap and wing feathers amid a blaze of orange. It prefers wooded areas and feeds on fruits and insects. Attracting the oriole to your feeder requires an ample supply of nectar, fruit or jam offered in feeders or from homemade feeding stations
Instructions
1. Choose a location for your feeder in an area surrounded by bushes and trees to provide shelter for birds. Although they prefer willows, elms and cherry trees, orioles will adapt to other shrubbery. If you do not have similar trees in your yard, place the feeder near fruiting bushes or shrubs.Open areas leave birds to the mercy of birds of prey that may swoop down and snatch them right from your feeder. Trees and bushes offer a quick escape when danger approaches.
2. Purchase an oriole feeder to supply nectar for orioles. These are similar to hummingbird feeders, but are considerably larger to support the larger size of orioles. Purchase or make oriole nectar to keep your feeder filled. This is similar to hummingbird nectar, but has less sugar. Mix 1/3 cup of white sugar to 2 cups of hot water and stir to dissolve all sugar crystals. Add orange food coloring if you prefer. Cool and fill oriole feeders as needed. Store unused oriole nectar in the refrigerator.
3. Provide slices of fresh orange hung from tree branches or simply nailed to the side of a tree. You can purchase a holder for the orange slices (see resources) but it is not necessary. Orioles will feed from oranges or fruit sections no matter how they are displayed. Offer pots of jam either by placing it on a platform feeder where orioles have easy access or purchase a jam feeder and hang from a tree branch.
4. Check feeder often for any signs of mold or mildew. This can grow quickly in hot weather. The telltale sign of mold growth is a black film in the corners or in crevices in the feeder. Clean feeders regularly with a mild solution of bleach and water to kill bacteria and prevent disease. Rinse thoroughly to remove any traces of soap or bleach.
5. Offer bits of dried or fresh fruit on a platform feeder. Orioles prefer oranges, apples, pears and bananas but will eat seeds and nuts when offered on a platform feeder. Provide suet for a change in diet. You can purchase a suet feeder and a wide assortment of suet cakes wherever bird supplies are sold.
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