Attract The Oriole Bird to Western US Yards and Parks
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Get Ready for the Bullock's Oriole
Bullock's Orioles are an orange yellow blackbird-type bird that flies north each year to the Western U.S. from Mexico and Central America. Look for them starting in mid-march. It is important to do your ground work for attracting the oriole bird early. This practice is essential for attracting the Baltimore oriole, the hooded oriole and orchard oriole to your yard for study and enjoyment.
I have collected information to attract orioles since last year when I missed the flyover window. I had my Internet research done early in January 2011 and I am going to try very diligently to attract the Bullock's or the hooded oriole to my yard and enjoy their colorful flights. If you live along the coast of Western U.S. look for Bullock's and hooded orioles and the Scott's oriole in the southwest dessert.
For the 2010 spring flyover I set up many of these attractions for the oriole. I am sad to report that my Southern California home did not have any sightings of orioles.
If you live in Eastern U.S. look for the Baltimore oriole and the orchard oriole. The other four of the nine oriole birds of the United States are rare.
All the tips I outline here to attract orioles applies to all of them and do not give up if you are unlucky the first year. I found out that these orange-like birds like the color orange and juicy fruits. No need for messy seeds.
Photo by J.N. Stuart on flick
I have collected information to attract orioles since last year when I missed the flyover window. I had my Internet research done early in January 2011 and I am going to try very diligently to attract the Bullock's or the hooded oriole to my yard and enjoy their colorful flights. If you live along the coast of Western U.S. look for Bullock's and hooded orioles and the Scott's oriole in the southwest dessert.
For the 2010 spring flyover I set up many of these attractions for the oriole. I am sad to report that my Southern California home did not have any sightings of orioles.
If you live in Eastern U.S. look for the Baltimore oriole and the orchard oriole. The other four of the nine oriole birds of the United States are rare.
All the tips I outline here to attract orioles applies to all of them and do not give up if you are unlucky the first year. I found out that these orange-like birds like the color orange and juicy fruits. No need for messy seeds.
Photo by J.N. Stuart on flick
How to Attract Orioles
I Am Going to Look for the Bullock's Oriole in My Yard
Attract orioles with the same sugar water you would use for hummingbirds. The nectar does not need to be orange. Orange sugar water feeders are available with appropriate feeding stations and perches modified for the birds weight and thin dark beaks. In areas where this bird is numerous observers probably have seen the oriole at their hummingbird feeder.I have a wall with a brick wide ledge that I am going to use for the feeding stations I want to try out this spring. I will get the sugar water feeder to see if it works.
Orioles in the wild eat bugs, especially for feeding the newly hatched chicks. Meal worms can be offered as a king's meal. They are expensive at your local pet store. I know we have bugs to offer in our yard because I see the Western bluebirds and the Black Phoebe going for them with their swooping dive and slight flutter.
The Baltimore and Bullock's oriole favor orange halves or slices, as well as grape jelly that can be offered on a dish or a shallow cup. Try soaked raisins too. Raisins are inexpensive.
We have scrap lumber and wood and I am going to kindly ask my husband to put together a station that I can set on the wall and access very easily and hopefully it will be high enough for the dogs to ignore.
Some Available Oriole Bird Feeders from Amazon
Most of the oriole feeders are orange and include the features that attract orioles the most.
Bullock's Oriole Arrival Times for the West Coast
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Arizona
Mid March -
Southern California
Arrivals start in March 10th and may last till early May. -
Northern California
Look for the first arrivals March 15th. The majority will arrive in early and mid-April. -
Oregon
Mid- to late April. -
Canada
Mid to late May will have Bullock's Orioles arriving. -
Colorado, Wyoming and Montana
See them in mid-May. -
Get more information at your local Aububon chapter. Audubon Chapter Locator.
The Baltimore Oriole Bird of Color
Our orioles are not orioles like the European ones, but belong to the blackbird family. Eastern orioles are named after George Calvert, first of a line of Lord Baltimores in the British colonies. He established colonies in Newfoundland and Maryland.
His Coat of Arms has the colors orange-yellow and black which the State of Maryland adapted for its state flag.
Bullock's Oriole
The Bullock's Oriole is named for a British naturalist collector that made collecting a profit. Natural elements and biology was a popular entertainment and curiosity in the early 19th century. William Bullock built the Egyptian Hall on Piccadilly Square in London in 1812 to house his natural history collection. There were more than 32,000 items to display. He charged for admission.In 1816 the success of displaying Napoleon's carriage taken from Waterloo was so popular, Bullock auctioned his natural history collection and the Hall became an art display venue.
Bullock later continued his interest in natural history in central Mexico, as well as, dabbling in the silver market.
Attract Bullock's Oriole to Nest Nearby
One site mentioned that palms have been used for nesting. I am hoping the palms growing in our yard and several neighbor's backyards will encourage nesting. It is suggested that laying out short lengths of string and fiber will help. I am regularly cleaning out dried blades from several clumps of decorative grass. I simply will lay some out on the green lawn for easy spotting. The pool waterfall that runs part of the day will be my water noise attraction.
I will move the small bird bath near the oriole feeder. All birds like clean water to fluff in.
This is my plan for my backyard habitat and I will keep you updated on any sightings I may have of the Bullock's Oriole.
Photo by Mike Hamilton at home1.gte.net/mikeham
I Have Ordered This Book
Info on the oriole bird
I ordered this book and the Perky Pet 449-2 oriole bird feeder above. I will let you know what I think after I read the book and spring has come.
Oriole Book, The
Amazon Price: $3.49 (as of 05/28/2012)
Used Price: $3.50
I enjoyed reading this book. Plenty of detailed information on oriole feeding and nesting habits. Detailed sections on Baltimore, Bullock's, Orchard, Scott's and Hooded Orioles.
The last chapter outlined concerns about cats, window strike hazards, pesticides, the sun grown coffee that does not provide good bird habitat, and electric light hazards for the nighttime migrating oriole. I learned some new and interesting facts.
The used books with the shipping were not any cheaper than using The Free Shipping method with the Oriole Bird Feeder that I ordered at the same time.
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
More Facts about the Bullock's Oriole
The western oriole birds are eight inch birds with 12 inch wing spans. The colors are orange, white and black with a long pointed bill for catching bugs and sipping nectar from flowers in their southern range.It takes more than two weeks to construct their nests.
Their nesting season is short and Baltimore oriole migration starts as early as mid August. No room for guessing with this interesting bird.
Even though the Western orioles were in decline beginning in the 60's there is a slight rise the last two decades and I hope to see these lovely birds in my yard this year.
Baltimore and Bullock's Oriole Food Summary
Orange halves.
grape jelly
I am going to try soaked raisins
a pool waterfall, gurgling pond or a bubbly bird bath or fountain
short strings or fibers for nest weaving
Orioles are shy birds so try your attraction secrets for a couple of years.
Buy Oriole Bird Feeders on eBay
Bird Bath Accessories
Let the Baltimore and Bullock's Oriole known there may be bugs in your backyard.
Oriole Link List
- Bullock's Oriole
- Here is a recording of the Bullock's Oriole song.
Nesting Baltimore Orioles
pawpaw911 has pictures and his story about the orioles in his own yard. He has the Baltimore oriole. I need to encourage all my neighbors to put the bird's favorite food out. Anyone in the neighborhood to have a nesting pair would be exciting.
Now to work up some nerve to ask them.
Now to work up some nerve to ask them.
Was This Page about the oriole bird Helpful?
Valentine gifts for the Oriole bird lover.
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JaguarJulie Dec 30, 2011 @ 1:03 pm | delete
- Such a delightful presentation on the oriole bird. Love it!
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AzotaPhotography
Jul 2, 2011 @ 12:02 pm | delete
- Probably a little late for me at this point, but something for me to plan for next year.
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efriedman
May 28, 2011 @ 4:11 am | delete
- Thanks for including arrival times for orioles in different areas. Btw, I used to live in Southern California. We occasionally (rarely) had orioles in our back yard on a canyon. But my husband regularly saw them in Eucalyptus trees in parking lots of business parks, especially in Rancho Bernardo area. There were orange trees, jacaranda and a fountain nearby, too. Wonder if they attracted the orioles.
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Pastiche
May 20, 2011 @ 7:24 am | delete
- The orioles have returned to our backyard habitat. They first showed up a few years ago and enjoyed the fruit we put out for them and the robins. Since then we think their offspring return to raise a family in the old homestead. This year we have at least 2 pair, and sometimes we witness a bit of a turf fight. So exciting to spot them high in a tree as they call out!
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paperfacets May 20, 2011 @ 10:58 am | delete
- Lee, lucky you are. I did see one oriole a few years ago. Will be trying again.
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Collected Pictures Orioles
All the following pictures are from Wikimedia Commons.
by paperfacets
Now is the time to get ready for the Bullock's oriole birds. The birds start arriving in SoCal and Northern Calif in mid-March. Valentine's Day is a... more »
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Get Ready for the Oriole on Valentines Day
Heath Outdoor Products CF-1 Oriole Fruit Feeder
Amazon Price: $9.22 (as of 05/28/2012)
In California your supplies need to be ready before March 10th. Valentines Day is a good time to gift these supplies to your birder Valentine. They will be thinking of you all spring.
Heath Outdoor Products CF-1 Oriole Fruit Feeder
