Complete Oriole Bird Feeder Guide: Setup, Food, and Tips

Introduction

a beautiful young woman in a summer dress with oriole birds in garden

It is extremely happiness-inducing when the morning sun’s initial rays shine down in your backyard and a beautiful orange and black bird appears! These wonderful birds are orioles, who are quite famous for their beautiful feathers and melodious songs. You will require an oriole bird feeder, however, if you want to welcome them to your backyard. This article provides a complete description of what an oriole bird feeder is, its benefits, and how to use it to create your backyard bird haven. There is useful information for any bird lover, be they new or seasoned. Let’s get started!

An Oriole bird feeder: what is it?

An oriole bird feeder is a specially designed feeding station exclusively for orioles.

a young woman assembling an oriole bird feeder under a flowering tree

Oriole bird feeders are designed to contain nectar, fruit, or jelly and not seeds, as seeds are normally kept in regular bird feeders. Orioles need some nutrients, and hence, their feeders are designed based on their demands. They are typically ornamented with yellow or orange colors, which will attract orioles by nature. Orioles are especially drawn to bright hues, specialists assert, which makes these feeders perfect for their dietary requirements.

Oriole Bird Feeder: What Are the Benefits

Oriole bird feeders have many benefits that will bring happiness to you as well as your backyard:

a peaceful garden scene. Several orioles are gathered around a bird feeder

  • Source Of Food – Oriole birds need a lot of energy during migration, and this feeder is a great way to provide them with an excellent food source.
  • Birdwatching – Watching oriole birds up close gives a different kind of peace. You can enjoy the beauty of these birds by placing an oriole bird feeder on your home balcony and in your backyard.
  • Conservation Support – Because of the lack of habitat for these birds, it becomes difficult for them to find food, but with the presence of an oriole bird feeder in your home, this task will become easier for them.
  • Garden Beauty – Because of the beautiful colors of these birds, the beauty of your garden increases even more.

If you want to add some moments of peace to your life, then oriole bird feeders can play an important role, as this feeder gives you a chance to connect with nature.

Types of Oriole Bird Feeders

Many types of oriole bird feeders are easily available in the market these days and all of them come with their own unique features. If you want to know which feeder will be best for your backyard, then all the different types of feeders are given below.

a woman sitting on a wooden garden bench near an oriole bird feeder

  • Nectar Feeders – In this feeder you can keep a solution made of sugar and water which oriole birds like very much. Also, this feeder has large ports and perches due to which orioles can feed easily.
  • Fruit Feeders—Oriole birds love to eat oranges and other fruits. Therefore, spikes are installed in this feeder, due to which oranges and other fruits can be easily placed in the feeder.
  • Jelly Feeders – Small cups and dishes are installed in this feeder to keep grapes jelly so that oriole birds can easily enjoy their favorite grapes jelly.
  • Combination Feeders – With the help of this feeder, you can give oriole birds a chance to enjoy different types of foods at one place. With the help of this feeder, you can keep fruits, nectar, and jelly together.

Although every feeder has its own benefits, but while choosing it you can keep your preferences and budget in mind so that you can choose the best option.

What is the right way to choose an Oriole Bird Feeder

If you want to choose the best oriole bird feeder, you have to keep in mind a few things, which are explained in the steps below:

  • Material – If you are looking for a feeder that can withstand all conditions while staying outdoors, then you should choose metal and high-quality plastic feeders because they are quite strong. If you compare plastic feeders with metal feeders, you will find them cheaper.
  • Size – While choosing feeders for oriole birds, you should keep in mind the size of the feeder. If your feeder is big, more oriole birds will visit your feeder and, if it is small, less will.
  • Cleaning – Such feeders which contain fruits and jelly get dirty very quickly. So choose a feeder which can be easily disassembled during picking so that it can be cleaned easily.
  • Placement – Do not place the feeder in a place where predators come; always place the feeder above the ground so that oriole birds can see them and are attracted to it.
  • Color – While choosing an oriole bird feeder, pay special attention to its colors. If you have yellow and orange-colored feeders, more oriole birds will like to come to your backyard because such colors attract them.

Many premium feeders are also available in the market which have some extra features like they protect the food from ants and bad weather.

How to attract oriole birds

If you think that just by putting up a feeder, oriole birds will come to your house, then you are thinking wrong. But if you install the feeder with a little strategy, then you will bring more birds to your feeder, then follow the steps given below:

a woman holding a small tray with fresh orange slices and grape jelly for oriole birds

  • Timing – If you put up the feeder during migration, i.e. in early spring (around April) then the chances of oriole birds coming to your feeder will increase.
  • Food – Oriole birds like their favorite food very much, so to attract them you can use nectar which is made of a mixture of sugar and water in the ratio of 1:4. You can also keep oranges and grapes jelly.
  • Placement – Always place the feeder at a place where there is no sunlight, such as near trees and bushes. Oriole birds like such places very much and they like to stay on such feeders for a longer time.
  • Patience – You need to have a little patience after placing the feeder. Keep putting food in the feeder from time to time. By doing this, you will soon see the oriole birds in your home.
  • Freshness – Always avoid fermented or stale food because due to this the oriole birds will never like to come to your feeder. Always keep fresh food in the feeder and be consistent.

These are some tips by following which you will soon see the first oriole bird in your home.

How to take care of an Oriole bird feeder

If you want your feeder to last a long time and keep your oriole birds happy, you will need to take care of it from time to time; doing so will extend the life of the feeder and protect the birds from getting sick.

a women in raincoat seeing orilole birds in rain

  • Cleaning – Clean the feeder at least once a week in normal weather. But clean it twice a week in hot weather to prevent mold and fungus from growing.
  • Nectar Change – To prevent the nectar from fermenting, change it every 3 or 4 days and fill it with fresh nectar.
  • Spoiled Food – Do not keep spoiled fruits in the feeder, otherwise fungus can spread and make the birds seriously sick.
  • Inspection – Check the feeder regularly and make sure there is no damage or leakage. If any defect is found, immediately replace that part or put a new feeder.

With the help of these tips given above, you can use oriole bird feeder for a long time and contribute to keeping the birds healthy.

Always avoid these mistakes

Whenever you use Oriole bird feeder, always avoid these mistakes, which are as follows:

A young woman opens a charming garden gate for oriole birds

  • Wrong Food – Never put artificial food or honey in the feeder, it can make them sick.
  • Direct Sunlight – Never put the feeder in a place where sunlight falls, otherwise the food kept in the feeder will get spoiled quickly.
  • Cleaning Matters – Always keep the feeder clean so that any type of fungus cannot grow in it.
  • Perches – Never choose a feeder whose perches are small, such feeders make oriole birds feel uncomfortable.

If you avoid these mistakes, then definitely oriole birds will spend time coming to your feeder daily.

Understand the behavior of Oriole birds

a woman sitting cross-legged in the grass, gazing peacefully at an oriole bird feeder

The way oriole birds eat is unique. These birds sometimes sit on perches and sometimes hover like hummingbirds and cardinal. Keeping this in mind, many brands design oriole bird feeders with different angles and multiple ports. When they come to the feeder, it is a very happy feeling to see them. Because of their vibrant colors and curiosity, they will entertain you a lot. Another fun thing about them is that they can copy the sounds of other birds.

Know about the Environmental Impact of the Oriole Bird Feeder

a young woman's delighted face as she watches the first oriole land on a bird feeder

If you feed birds responsibly, it can be beneficial. Find a safe place to put it so that it does not attract predators or pests. If you do not want to upset the balance of the local ecosystem, do not overfeed these birds so that they do not become completely dependent on your food. If you want to help birds, along with keeping nature balanced, follow best practices.

Check Out these 5 Best Oriole Bird feeders

1. AmishToyBox.com Oriole Bird Feeder

Product Specification Table
Feature Specification
Brand Name AmishToyBox.com
Target Species Oriole
Mounting Type Hanging Mount
Material Type Fade-Resistant Poly Lumber
Item Dimensions L x W x H 11″L x 6″W x 8″H
Recommended Uses for Product Fruit, Grape Jelly
Customer Reviews 4.6 out of 5 stars ⭐ (Not Fixed)

2. DutchCrafters Store Plastic Poly Quad Oriole Bird Feeder

Product Specification Table
Feature Specification
Brand Name DutchCrafters
Target Species Oriole
Mounting Type Hanging Mount
Material Type Plastic
Item Dimensions L x W x H 9″L x 8″W x 9″H
Recommended Uses For Product Seed, Fruit, Nectar
Customer Reviews 4.5 out of 5 stars ⭐ (Not Fixed)

3. JCs Wildlife Ultimate Recycled Poly Oriole Bird Feeder

Product Specification Table
Feature Specification
Brand Name JCs Wildlife
Target Species Oriole
Mounting Type Hanging Mount
Material Type Poly Wood
Item Dimensions L x W x H 11.5″L x 7.5″W x 18.5″H
Recommended Uses For Product Fruit, Jelly
Customer Reviews 4.7 out of 5 stars ⭐ (Not Fixed)

4. DutchCrafters Double Platform Hanging Oriole Bird Feeder

Product Specification Table
Feature Specification
Brand Name DutchCrafters
Target Species Oriole
Mounting Type Hanging Mount
Material Type Plastic
Item Dimensions L x W x H 12″L x 11.63″W x 14.5″H
Recommended Uses For Product Nectar, Fruit
Customer Reviews 4.8 out of 5 stars ⭐ (Not Fixed)

5. AmishToyBox.com Deluxe Triple Deck Oriole Feeder

Product Specification Table
Feature Specification
Brand Name AmishToyBox.com
Target Species Oriole
Mounting Type Hanging Mount
Material Type Engineered Wood
Item Dimensions L x W x H 12″L x 12″W x 21″H
Recommended Uses For Product Fruit, Nut, Grape Jelly
Customer Reviews 5.0 out of 5 stars ⭐ (Not Fixed)

Final thoughts about the Oriole bird feeder

a women standing in a garden at sunset and seeing flying oriole bird near feeder

If you want to know about the beauty and behavior of these birds, then an oriole bird feeder is the best option. It enhances the beauty of your garden and makes your home a cheerful space for birds, so choose the best feeder and place it in the best location. Then make your outdoor space vibrant by maintaining the feeder regularly. So don’t think too much; bring the best oriole bird feeder to your home today and strengthen your connection with nature!