Baltimore Orioles

First posted on 05-18-2010

Birdwatchers across the Ozarks herald the springtime return of Baltimore orioles. Their bright orange and deep black plumage make them a colorful favorite.

Despite the male’s flame-orange breast, these birds camouflage well in tall trees where they prefer to dwell and hunt for food. Female orioles and immature male birds are even more difficult to spot because of their duller, brownish coats. Male Baltimore orioles do not reach their full plumage until the fall of their second year.

One of the ways to find an oriole is to listen for their distinctive song, a series of sharp, slightly slurry whistles. An example of an oriole’s call can be heard at All About Birds.org. The site is maintained by the Cornell University Lab of Ornithology.

Baltimore orioles are not extremely picky when it comes to food and will make a meal of fruit, nuts, nectar, spiders or insects. Placing feeders with a syrup similar to that favored by hummingbirds will often attract orioles, although dedicated feeders are usually equipped with longer perches to accommodate these larger birds. Cutting an orange in half and placing the fruit between low-hanging tree branches also helps attract Baltimore orioles.

Usually dwelling high in deciduous trees, orioles favor woodland areas or open spaces with a scattering of trees. As a result, these birds are often found in parks, wooded urban areas and suburban locations.

Nests resemble gourd shapes and are made from grass, hair, plant materials and just about anything else orioles can scrounge. Some birders place yarn, long strands of hair and other fibers on bushes and wooden platforms so they are easy for orioles to reach. The birds will grab them and readily incorporate these building materials into their nests.

A clutch is usually three to seven eggs, pale gray to white with streaks and dark lines breaking up the color. Eggs hatch within 11 to 14 days and young orioles fledge 11 to 14 days after hatching.

Found across the Midwest, Baltimore orioles range as far north as Alberta and Ontario, Canada and as far east as Maine. They can be spotted south to Louisiana. Before winter sets in, orioles head to the southernmost United States, or even further south into Central America and northern portions of South America.

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