Baltimore Oriole

The Baltimore Oriole is a striking orange and black bird that arrives in spring. They are drawn to backyards offering fruit, nectar, and mealworms.

Baltimore Orioles are fruit and nectar specialists with a sweet tooth that sets them apart from most feeder birds. They go crazy for orange halves, grape jelly, raisins, dried cranberries, and nectar. At seed feeders, fruit-rich blends are the only offerings that interest them. They'll also eat suet with berry and fruit content, especially during spring migration when they're refuelling after the long flight north from Central America.

Orioles need their own dedicated feeding setup — a bright orange oriole feeder stocked with grape jelly and orange halves is the classic approach. For Chirp & Maple products, a platform feeder with fruit-rich blends and a suet cage with Berry & Nut or Fruit & Nut suet works well. Place feeders in open areas near tall deciduous trees where orioles naturally forage. Timing matters: have your oriole station ready by early May when the first migrants arrive — once they establish a feeding territory, they'll return all summer.

Baltimore Orioles nest in tall deciduous trees, weaving their iconic hanging pouch nests at the tips of drooping branches — elms, maples, and willows are favourites. Planting or preserving large shade trees is the most important habitat move. They're attracted to orange-coloured objects, so orange feeders and orange fabric strips can catch their attention during spring migration. Fruit-bearing trees and shrubs (serviceberry, mulberry, cherry) provide natural food. Leaving out short lengths of yarn, string, or plant fibre in spring gives them nesting material — they'll weave it directly into their extraordinary hanging nests.