How to Attract Orioles

Orioles are among the most beautiful of summer visitors to the United States. Although orioles may also sip from hummingbird feeders, providing a specialized oriole feeder allows them better access to the nectar.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Hummingbird Feeder Cleaning Brushes
• Hummingbird Feeders
• Oriole Feeders
• Fruits
• Granulated Sugar
• Granulated Sugar
• Measuring Cups
• Paring Knives
• Fruits
• Measuring cups

1. Purchase an oriole feeder, or remove bee guards from hummingbird feeder so that orioles can insert beaks and reach nectar.

2. Prepare standard nectar by thoroughly mixing 1/4 c. sugar with 1 c. water. To make a larger quantity, use the formula of one part sugar to four parts water.

3. Fill feeder with nectar.

4. Hang feeder from tree branch or eaves of house.

5. Put halves of apples, oranges or other fruits out for orioles. Special feeders designed to hold these fruits firmly are available.

6. Clean all feeders, replace nectar and remove and replace fruit every one to three days in warm weather.

Tips & Warnings

• Orioles do not winter in the United States except in small areas of Arizona and Texas.
• Orioles do not eat seed, so they will not be attracted to a seed feeder.
• You can also use an open cup filled with sugar water to attract orioles, although this can also attract insects such as wasps, bees and ants.
• It is dangerous for birds to drink from a feeder that has mold growing on or in it.
• Avoid adding food coloring or dyes to the nectar.
• Avoid leaving spoiled food out for birds.

on 8/8/2006 Grape jelly is a real success story, we put orange halves on the top of the feeder, and small containers of grape jelly on a second shelf below them.

Use jar covers or small containers for the jelly as it needs to be cleaned and refilled often.

on 7/18/2006 My orioles eat only grape jelly and drink nectar from their feeder, which has special bee guards. They also like red grapes.

on 6/30/2006 I have regular hanging seed feeders on a double Shepard's hook in my yard. I took an orange, sliced it in half, then cut an "X" on the bottom of the orange half. I then slipped the orange onto the upward tips of the Shepard's hook. Now I can view a variety of finches feeding at the hanging seed feeders, as well as the orioles feeding on the orange halves! So regardless of what you have hanging on that Shepard's hook in your yard (flowers, feeders), stick an orange half on the upward tip of the hook for an inexpensive oriole feeder!

on 3/12/2006 Grape jelly is a real success story for us. We put orange halves on the top of the feeder, and small containers of grape jelly on a second shelf below them.

Use jar covers or small containers for the jelly, as it needs to be cleaned and refilled often.

on 11/22/2005 Orioles also love grape jelly. Instead of sugar use grape jelly mixture or offer it in an orange half partially scooped out.