Are you ready? After spending the late fall and winter months in southern Mexico and as far south as Columbia, the Orioles are on their way back! So far this month they have been spotted in Arkansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Illinois and northern Michigan. You know what that means… we can expect them to grace our yards, gardens and feeders over the next few weeks. In our neck of the woods, we welcome the Baltimore Oriole - also referred to as the Northern Oriole - along with the Orchard Oriole. Can you tell the difference between them? The Baltimore Oriole is slightly larger with tropical orange and black colourings, while the Orchard Oriole is smaller with a rusty coloured breast and black head. The female Orchard Oriole is a greenish yellow colour with no black feathers.

Now that we know what we’re watching for, here are some tips on how to attract them to our yards. Oriole feeders need to be visible, not hidden on branches in trees and shrubs. Hanging them from a pole system or shepherd's hook is best. If you have the space in your garden to place their feeders away from seed feeders for our other feathered friends, that would help to entice them. You will want to set the table for them by the 3rd week of April. If you think that it’s too early, put the feeders out empty and have everything ready to fill them as soon as they arrive.

You can welcome the Orioles back with a variety of feeders as they like to choose from a diverse menu. Their favourite foods include nectar, grape jelly, oranges, red grapes (cutting them in half makes it easier for them to eat), mealworms and fruit flavoured suet. Mill Creek Fruit and Nut suet would be a welcomed treat. Homemade nectar is easy to make by using 1 part plain white table sugar to 4 parts boiling water. Stir to dissolve the sugar and store in the fridge.

There are many styles of feeders to choose from. Individual feeders are available for jelly, fruit, suet, mealworms and orange slices. If space is an issue for more than one feeder, the Ultimate Oriole Feeder allows you to offer fruit, nectar and grape jelly in one feeder.

Please don’t forget the water. You can have an all in one dining area and spa by having a bird bath too. There’s nothing like a cool drink or bath for these beauties during the day or after their evening meal.

Orioles will be in our neighbourhoods until late August/early September when they will leave us again until next spring.

Let’s do what we can to welcome them back. I sure am looking forward to hearing their cheery songs and seeing their antics at the feeders!

Happy Oriole Sightings!

Jane Paradis

Brand Ambassador

Urban Nature Store