Baltimore orioles are brightly colored songbirds that can be found in the eastern and central United States during the summer months. They are easily recognized by their vivid orange and black plumage. Orioles are notorious for having a sweet tooth when it comes to fruit. There are certain types of fruit that Baltimore orioles find particularly irresistible.
Orange Fruit
It’s no surprise that Baltimore orioles are attracted to orange colored fruit. The orange hue mimics their own vibrant plumage. Orioles cannot resist pecking away at citrus fruits like oranges, tangerines, and grapefruits. They use their sharp beaks to puncture the skin and extract the sweet internal juices and pulp. An orange half on a bird feeder pole or fruit spike is sure to attract these striking birds. Just be sure to remove any remaining rinds so they don’t get moldy.
Berries
In addition to citrus fruit, Baltimore orioles relish berries. They enjoy both wild berries like mulberries, serviceberries, blackberries, raspberries and domestic varieties like strawberries and blueberries. Berry bushes like blueberry shrubs, raspberry canes and mulberry trees provide ideal natural sources of berries that will lure orioles. You can also offer berry varieties in bird feeders, like halved strawberries skewered onto spikes. Make sure to remove any spoiled or moldy berries regularly.
Other Fruits
Baltimore orioles will sample a wide assortment of other fruits as well. Slices of apple, banana, pear, peach, plum, and mango are all tasty treats. Cherries are another highly preferred fruit. Try offering a cluster of cherries or cherry halves in a small basket or bowl. Figs, whether fresh or dried are also relished. You can essentially experiment with just about any fleshy fruit to see if your local orioles will take interest.
Fruit Feeders
To offer fruit to orioles, specialized fruit feeders work great. A feeder with short spikes onto which slices of fruit can be impaled or wedged is ideal. The fruit stays in place and allows the birds easy access. Platform feeders with a mesh covering also work well, as they allow good drainage and air circulation to keep fruit fresh. Small baskets or bowls hung from poles, hooks or branches make simple fruit holders too. Be sure to position any fruit feeders in open areas about 5-10 feet off the ground.
Fruit as Bait
In addition to offering fruit as a natural food source, it can also be used strategically as bait to attract and lure Baltimore orioles. Try offering orange halves, cherries or berries in a new area you’d like the birds to frequent, like near a nest box or preferred perch. Once the orioles find the fruit, they may be more inclined to stick around. Just be sure to keep the fruit refreshed regularly so it stays appealing.
Orange Nectar
Baltimore orioles drink nectar as well as eat fruit. You can serve up sugary orange nectar in an oriole feeder to satisfy their cravings. Simply mix together 1 part orange juice with 3 parts water. Never offer straight juice or sugary soda, as this can harm the birds. The orange nectar will prove irresistible, bringing orioles to any feeder it’s offered in.
Fruit Schedule
The best times of year to offer fruit to orioles aligns with fruiting seasons. In spring, strawberries, mulberries, cherries and other early-season fruit will attract arriving orioles. Summer provides a bounty of fruit from berry bushes, fruit trees and orchards. Fall fruits like apples, pears, grapes, oranges and figs are relished through the autumn months. Providing a sequence of fruits from spring through fall will provide orioles with their preferred natural foods.
Nutrition
Fruits offer essential vitamins, minerals, natural sugars and hydration that Baltimore orioles thrive on. Citrus fruits provide vitamin C and potassium. Berries offer antioxidants, fiber and phytonutrients. The natural carbohydrates in fruit provide orioles with quick energy. Fruits also supply needed hydration in warm months. The variety of fruits in an oriole’s diet contributes to overall health and wellbeing.
High Energy Needs
Baltimore orioles have very high metabolisms and energy needs, particularly during spring migration, breeding and nesting seasons. Their small bodies require frequent refueling. Fruit provides an excellent source of carbohydrates and calories to satisfy their intense energy demands. The natural sugars in fruit give orioles an efficient energy boost.
Breeding Season Fuel
When breeding and raising young in spring and summer, male Baltimore orioles defend a breeding territory and the females incubate eggs and feed nestlings. This requires tremendous energy, sustained by fruit. Female orioles especially benefit from the quick energy burst fruit provides, enabling them to maintain the metabolic demands of reproduction.
Migration Pit Stops
Baltimore orioles migrate long distances, traveling over 1000 miles between their breeding range and Central American wintering grounds. They need plentiful food sources along their migration route to refuel. Backyard fruit feeders provide vital pit stops where orioles can rest and feed on fruit before resuming their travels.
Fruit Availability
Baltimore orioles time their migration and movements based on fruit availability. In late spring they follow blooming trees and bushes that will later bear fruit. Monitoring which fruits are ripe helps orioles map out feeding grounds. Backyards laden with fruit provide an attractive buffet stop for migrating and breeding orioles.
Diversity
Offering an array of different fruits gives Baltimore orioles diverse nutritional benefits. The array of vitamins, antioxidants, and phytonutrients found in berries, citrus, stone fruit, melons and other produce contributes to a well-rounded diet. The diversity of fruits at different times of year also ensures a steady food supply.
| Fruit | Months Available | Nutritional Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Oranges | January-March | Vitamin C, potassium, antioxidants |
| Strawberries | April – June | Vitamin C, manganese, antioxidants |
| Blueberries | May – August | Vitamin C, fiber, phytonutrients |
| Blackberries | July – September | Vitamin C, fiber, antioxidants |
| Apples | September – November | Vitamin C, fiber, antioxidants |
This table shows some common fruits enjoyed by Baltimore orioles and their nutritional benefits and seasons of availability.
Preferred Habitats
Baltimore orioles seek out habitats with plentiful fruit sources from spring through fall. Open woods and forest edges that support berry bushes and fruiting trees attract foraging orioles during the breeding season. Rural orchards, farms and gardens that provide fruit are also favored spring and summer habitats. Urban parks and yards landscaped with fruit plants appeal to migrating and nesting orioles.
Yard Landscaping
To make your yard attractive to Baltimore orioles, landscape with their preferred fruit sources. Planting berry bushes like blueberry, serviceberry, mulberry and raspberry provides natural food from spring through summer. Fruit trees like crabapple, cherry, peach and pear also appeal to orioles during the breeding season. Keep feeders stocked with sliced oranges, berries and other fruit offerings.
Regional Variations
Fruits that attract Baltimore orioles can vary somewhat across their range based on regional growing conditions. In the Southwest, cactus fruit and palms appeal, while in the Southeast fruits like loquats, persimmons and muscadine grapes are enjoyed. Throughout the Mid-Atlantic mulberries, serviceberries, black cherries and wild grapes draw in breeding and migrating orioles.
Mimicking Plumage
It’s no coincidence that Baltimore orioles favor orange fruit that nearly matches the vivid color of their feathers. Their attraction is both visual and nutritional. The eye-catching orange hue first draws them in, signaling a potential food source. Once they taste the sweet, juice pulp, they come back for more again and again.
Color Preferences
In addition to being attracted to orange fruit, Baltimore orioles also feed readily on deep purple and black berries that mimic the black in their plumage. Their color vision and food preferences have co-evolved to target fruits matching their unique coloration.
Breeding Plumage
Male Baltimore orioles in breeding plumage with especially deep orange coloring are skilled at winning over mates with their vibrant hues. The rich orange color signals health and fitness. The more intensely orange the males, the better their chances at reproducing and passing on strong color genes.
Food Vision
Baltimore orioles have specialized color vision that allows them to quickly spot fruit against green foliage. Their eyes detect colored wavelengths that especially stand out. Bright orange and purple fruits seem to pop out from leaves and branches, guiding orioles right to food sources.
Color Ranges
Baltimore orioles visit feeders with dyed orange nectar, suggesting their color vision focuses more on the orange hue than subtler shades. They also readily spot vivid orange objects like flags and survey tape that mimic fruit color.
Vision Advantages
The excellent color vision of Baltimore orioles provides important advantages. It helps males stand out to females, and helps orioles spot camouflaged insects and fruit. Their ability to pinpoint fruit and nectar sources by color helps orioles efficiently locate plentiful calories.
Warning Coloration
The striking black and orange plumage of Baltimore orioles serves as warning coloration signaling they are toxic or unpalatable to predators. By associating the conspicuous colors with danger, predators learn to avoid the orioles, an advantage that likely factored into the evolution of their unusual appearance.
Foraging Areas
Baltimore orioles forage for fruit and insects in a range of habitat zones and substrates:
- Tree canopies – foraging among leaves and branches
- Forest edges – feeding along borders between woods and open land
- Berry bushes – plucking berries from shrubs
- Fruit trees – picking from orchards and ornamentals
- Feeders – visiting specialized oriole fruit and nectar feeders
Taking advantage of all vertical layers and habitat types allows Baltimore orioles to maximize their fruit and insect consumption.
Migration
The spring and fall migration of Baltimore orioles involves long distances up to 1,400 miles between breeding and wintering grounds. Key features of their migration include:
- Spring migration occurs April through May
- Fall migration occurs August through early November
- Males arrive at breeding grounds first to establish territories
- Juveniles migrate south later in fall than adults
- Stopovers provide rest and food during migration
Monitoring oriole activity and food preferences during migration offers insights into their seasonal movements and nutrition.
Backyard Tips
To successfully attract Baltimore orioles to your backyard habitat, follow these tips:
- Offer sliced oranges, berries and other preferred fruits in specialty feeders or small baskets
- Provide orange nectar in oriole nectar feeders
- Include berry bushes, fruit trees and nectar plants in landscaping
- Position feeders in open areas about 5-10 feet high
- Make sure feeders and fruit are accessible with clear flight paths
- Keep fruit and nectar feeders clean and fresh
Meeting the habitat needs of Baltimore orioles takes knowledge of their behavior and food preferences. Supplying their favorite fruits and nectar will bring bright splashes of orange to your backyard.
Conclusion
Baltimore orioles exhibit a strong attraction to sweet, juicy fruits that matches their vibrant orange and black plumage. By landscaping yards with fruiting plants, bushes, and trees that offer berries, citrus, apples, and other favored foods, homeowners can attract these striking songbirds. Specialty feeders that provide sliced oranges, other fruits, and orange nectar are also excellent for luring Baltimore orioles. With their instinctive preference for oranges and other brightly colored fare, a regular crop of ripened fruit is sure to catch the eye of Baltimore orioles passing through your neighborhood.
