What to put out to attract orioles?

Answered by John Hunt

To attract orioles to your yard, it is important to offer them the foods they love. One of the most popular treats for orioles is nectar. You can easily make your own nectar by mixing four parts water with one part white granulated sugar. Avoid using honey, brown sugar, or artificial sweeteners as they can be harmful to the birds. Fill a nectar feeder designed for orioles with this homemade nectar and place it in a visible and accessible location in your yard.

In addition to nectar, orioles also enjoy jelly. Grape jelly is a favorite among these beautiful birds. You can place a small dish or feeder with grape jelly near the nectar feeder. Make sure to use a shallow dish or a feeder with a small opening to prevent the orioles from getting stuck.

Fruit is another great option to attract orioles. They particularly love oranges. To offer oranges to orioles, you can slice the fruit and place it on a special feeder designed to hold orange slices. Alternatively, you can impale the orange slices on a skewer and hang it near the nectar feeder. Orioles will happily feast on the juicy slices.

It’s important to note that orioles are highly attracted to the color orange, so incorporating this color into your feeders or yard decor can help grab their attention. You can use orange-colored nectar feeders or hang orange ribbons or windsocks in your yard.

To maximize your chances of attracting orioles, it’s a good idea to place multiple feeders in different locations around your yard. This way, you increase the chances of them discovering your offerings. You can also experiment with different types of feeders to see which ones the orioles prefer.

Remember to regularly clean and refill the feeders to ensure the food is fresh and appealing to the orioles. Clean the feeders with warm water and mild soap, and rinse them thoroughly before refilling.

In my experience, attracting orioles to my yard has been a delightful and rewarding endeavor. I have placed a nectar feeder near my kitchen window, allowing me to observe these vibrant birds up close. I also hang orange slices on a feeder just a few feet away, providing them with their favorite snack. Additionally, I have incorporated orange-colored windsocks and ribbons into my yard decor, which seems to catch their attention. It brings me great joy to see these stunning birds visit my yard and enjoy the treats I provide.

To summarize, to attract orioles to your yard, you can offer them nectar, jelly, and fruit. Use nectar feeders designed for orioles and fill them with homemade nectar. Provide grape jelly in a shallow dish or a jelly feeder. Offer orange slices either on a specialized feeder or impaled on a skewer. Incorporate the color orange into your feeders or yard decor. Place multiple feeders in different locations and regularly clean and refill them. Enjoy the beauty and charm of orioles as they visit your yard.