Archive for the ‘Oriole Bird Feeders’ Category
Follow The Geese
That’s what I thought about doing yesterday. There were hundreds of them in V-formations, and they weren’t flying south this time. They were flying north-northwest. I should have known something was up. It’s called a blizzard, and I didn’t get away. It’s here and so am I.
I put the platform bird feeder on the ground just a few minutes ago and if the predictions are accurate, it will be covered with a foot of snow or more by morning. It’s where I can get to it easily so it can be uncovered and I can fill it with fresh food. The birds will be looking for food for a few long days - I knew I should have followed those geese. Oh, I am not complaining. There are some areas south of us that are getting a couple of feet of the stuff or more. We are at the northern edge. The good news is, the water in the bird bath won’t freeze because the heater is working just great.
I am longing for the day that I can put out the oriole feeder and fill it with sweet nectar.
Luring Orioles into Your Yard
Bird lovers will often go to great lengths to bring the most colorful specimens to their backyard feeders. With their striking orange, yellow and black plumage, orioles are especially fascinating to watch. By catering to their specific feeding habits, you can significantly increase the likelihood of attracting orioles. Bear in mind that they love sweet fruits and nectar.
Specialized oriole feeder represent your best shot at attracting these colorful birds. You can also easily convert a hummingbird feeder by removing the bee guard and permitting orioles easy access to the nectar within. More rudimentary methods can be effective, but they are not necessarily the most reliable way to go. Try slicing an orange in two and leaving the sections on a porch railing.
A Bit About The Orioles
Because of their strikingly beautiful black and orange or yellow plumage, their distinctive whistle, spring songs, and their amazing suspended nest, Orioles are quickly becoming one of Americas’s favorite birds. While over eight species of Orioles can regularly be seen in the United States, we’ll deal mainly with three - Baltimore, Bullocks and Orchard. All United States Orioles show variation on the theme of black with yellow or orange plumage.
Except for in the Southeast, all Orioles are tropical migrants. While migrations vary from year-to-year, Orioles generally arrive in the South in early spring, Midwest in early May, and further North soon afterward. It is very important that you have Oriole bird feeders up and ready, or they will pass you by for better feeding grounds. It is equally important to have nesting materials out and ready to help encourage Orioles to nest in your yard. Although studies are still being done on how much we can tempt Orioles to nest in backyards, by summer’s end, migrating Orioles are headed back South to their tropical winter homes in Central and South America. The Baltimore Oriole’s range is expanding, while Bullocks and Orchard Orioles are declining. All Orioles need and benefit from your help.
Where nesting material is available, Orioles will defend an area of several acres and start building a pendulous nest. You can help encourage them by offering long strips of twine or horse hair. Or, better yet the commercial nesting material holder and mix that is now available at Bird Essentials.
Orioles make a pendulous nest with the females normally taking 5-8 days to do all the weaving. The male defends their territory and occasionally checks out the construction of the nest, but offers little help or expertise. The nest may be as much as 8 inches in length and is often supported from the tips of the branches that hang out over open areas such as rivers or roads. The female will lay 4-5 pale gray to bluish eggs, while she alone will incubate until they hatch in 12-14 days. Both parents feed the babies until they fledge in another 12-14 days. By summer’s end, all will have departed for a warm winter in South America. Enjoy them while you can.