See Many
Additional Baltimore Oriole Photos in the Gallery
May 16, 2009
We are thrilled to be seeing more
frequent and closer views of the male Baltimore oriole this
year. He's come down from the higher tree branches to drink nectar
from the old cherry tree's new blossoms this spring. The nearby
oriole feeder (with sugar water, orange half and grape
jelly) has been used only by the ruby throated hummingbird
so far.
We wondered where the female oriole might be. Last year one
boldly ate suet from our feeders, even those placed very
close to our best viewing window. On May 9, 2009, we saw a
female drink nectar from the blossoms on the same cherry
tree the male had used. She took her time and drank from
many flowers. The next day after fierce winds and rain, the
tree was stripped of all the pink cherry blossoms. The
orioles have not been seen as much since.
On May 16, 2009, I saw the female
pulling nesting material that had previously been used by
tufted titmice. Unfortunately my camera and I were not
speedy enough. But the next day, we did capture her visiting
a suet feeder until a grackle had the same idea. He didn't
chase her but she was still intimidated by his size.
May
2, 2009 - Food Guy and I were in the front yard with the
camera trying to follow a woodpecker's drumming, when I
saw a flash of orange in the tiny (four old trees) apple
orchard. A quick look through the camera lens proved
that it was indeed the Baltimore oriole male. Last
year we caught a brief blurry photo on May 10th
when we were putting in our equally tiny pond. We have
put out a hummingbird feeder and a new oriole feeder
(with an orange half and some grape jelly), but we have
had no apparent takers so far- time to freshen the
contents.
In early May, 2008 we were trying to snap photos of our tree swallow couple
defending their prospective nesting box from a house sparrow. A
flash of orange crossed overhead. All we could record was a blurry,
distant male Baltimore oriole in a tall tree top at the
edge of the tree line. What a disappointment!
Food Guy has an ongoing competition with a former neighbor about
having Baltimore Orioles in the yard (neighbor has some, we never did).
We waited and scanned the tree tops relentlessly.
About ten days later, we saw a new (to us) bird picking
enthusiastically on a suet cake at my best photo taking window. It
took almost every resource we had to put a name to her. Most books
and websites showed the female oriole with an orange head. Ours
was definitely black and orange speckled. One source finally said
a female Baltimore Oriole could look like a disheveled male.
Exactly! She wasn't overly shy and readily posed for many shots.
She returned many times after that for her favorite suet.
After the oriole's initial visit, we immediately purchased a
hummingbird feeder and filled it with a special citrus flavored oriole
drink. She wasn't interested. The original source for this
idea failed to mention that while oriole have been known to use this
type of feeder, they should be equipped with a bar to perch on for the
non-hovering type birds. Did we feel stupid!
Back to the store for the more appropriate feeder for an oriole.
We hung it in hopes of seeing her and maybe even her mate enjoy the
treat. She continued to eat only the suet. And apparently her guy is not
unlike my Food Guy who prefers to eat closer to home and not in a crowd.
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Size:
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Length: 7-8.75in
Weight: 1.2 oz
Wingspan:
11.5-12 in
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ID:
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Male: Bright orange underparts, shoulder, rump and outer tail
feathers; black hood, back, wings and tail; white wing bars;
long, pointed silver bill; silvery gray feet anisodactylous
(three toes point forward and one toe points backward)
Female and Juvenile: Upperparts brownish olive; underparts
orange; random black markings on head and
throat
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Habitat:
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Woodlands, residential areas and parklands with mature
deciduous trees
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Diet:
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Gleans shrubs for fruit and insects (ants, caterpillars,
moths, aphids); probe flowers for nectar; feeders for orange
segments and hummingbird feeders for nectar; will also eat suet
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Family Behavior:
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Mating Habits: Monogamous and solitary or in pairs; male
displays by alternating stretching to full height and bowing
while spreading tail and wings; will eject cowbird eggs; 1 brood
per year
Local Breeding Period: May
Nests: Female builds; intricately woven, pendulous, hanging
nest of plant fibers, yarn, string, hair, grass and spider webs;
hangs from end of drooping branch; never reuses nest
Eggs: 4-6 pale bluish white streaked and blotched with brown
markings; female incubates 12-14 days
Nestlings: Born altricial (helpless, naked, eyes closed) and
stay in nest 12-14 days; male and female feed
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Social Activities:
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Family groups after nesting (some males remain solitary);
often joins mixed foraging flocks for winter and migration
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Range:
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Breeding: Most of Eastern half of US (except deep south) and
southern Canada
Winter: Deep south coastal regions, Mexico and Central America
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Vocalization:
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Song is series of flutelike whistles (peter, peter, peter); call is two note
tea-too and rapid ch, ch, ch; flight call is veet
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Lifespan: |
Up to 11 years |
