If your neighborhood has many orioles, you would love them watching in your backyard. Listening to melodious chirping and seeing beautiful oriole always make people relaxed. The University of Queensland revealed in its study that people who live in environments with more trees and birds are less likely to experience stress, anxiety, and depression (1).
Imagine the attractive orange, blackbirds perching on your trees and feeding on the seeds you filled in the bird feeders. Professor Kevin Gaston, with Dr. Cox, conducted a study in 2016 and found that bird-watching makes people connected to the natural world (2). Undoubtedly, it will make you feel relieved from anxiety and stress.Â
However, choosing the best oriole feeder can be challenging, especially when it is your first time buying such a product. Considering that, I am providing you with a guide that you should look at before opting for an oriole feeder.
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Where to place an oriole feeder?
While orioles are treetop birds, you must hang the feeder at the height where they can easily spot the food. You can hang it on the heightened branch of the tree or using a bird feeder pole. If not this, you can attach it with branches you intertwined in the shrubbery. Moreover, it’s important to get an orange colored feeder, since these birds are attracted to orange hues.
No matter what feeder you choose for orioles, amateurs and experts say that you may need to wait for a few days for these beautiful birds to find their way to your backyard or garden. However, even if they notice the feeder, chances are they may not come immediately.
Keep in mind that these birdies are quite choosy and will flock around your area a few times before perching to your feeder. Nevertheless, once they decide to taste from bird feeders, you are likely to see them coming to your yard often. So, do not give up soon and wait for them to come to your garden.
What do orioles eat?
Orioles’ food preferences keep changing with the changing seasons. In fall and spring, these birdies love to feed on a sugary diet, which includes grape jelly, ripe fruits (specifically orange), and nectar. During hot summery days, you will need to feed them with mealworms.Â
Not to mention, mealworms serve as a source of protein to them when they are breeding and raising their young ones. Therefore, add impaled orange halves in your bird feeders to attract them. The overall food diet of orioles consists of:
- Insects
- Mealworms
- Suet
- Peanut butter
- Cereals
- Oats
- Marmalade
- Rice
- Bread
- Bananas
- Peaches
- Berries
- Apples
- Oranges
- Nectar
- Grape Jelly
Do oriole feeders really need to be orange?
Like hummingbirds, orioles are attracted to specific colors. While hummingbirds are drawn to red hues, orioles are attracted to the orange color. You can try out using hummingbird feeder for orioles as well.
Not only this, but these beautiful birdies also like oranges, I am talking about the fruit. So, if you want to attract them to your backyard or garden, adding something orange, or the fruit, can flock them to your vicinity.Â
Other than this, you can add an orange surveyor’s tape or ribbon around the trees, bushes, or railings to attract them.Â
However, the best idea is to place an orange feeder in your garden; when they spot your yard offers food, they will likely stick around.
How to keep bees away from oriole feeders?
It’s essential to keep your garden and backyard clean to keep bees away from your oriole feeders.Â
Other than this, you can put some wasp traps near the feeders to trap the bees. Besides, opt for oriole feeder with bee guard that does not boast any yellow shade and does not drip.Â
If the bees still forage the jelly jar in your garden, clean the feeder and rub fresh mint on the surface of the feeder.Â
This will keep the bees away from your feeder while ensuring the food for oriole stay intact in the feeder.
Related:Â 12 Tips on How to Keep Bees Away From Hummingbird Feeders
Tips to attract orioles to your feeder
Like other wild birds, orioles flock to the place where the food is available. However, attracting orioles may not be so simple at first. You will need to offer their favorite food to attract them to your garden, which I have already discussed above.
Besides food, they are attracted to several other things. Find them out here:
- Attractive Garden – Meadow, Bright Flowery plants, and the trees of different heights are what attracts orioles. If your garden does not have much space to grow trees, you can just intertwine some branches into the bushes.
– - Install a Feeder – As mentioned above, baltimore orioles like to fly to the places that have food available. You can do that by installing a feeder in your garden. Make sure to choose the orange-colored feeder since orioles love the color orange.
– - Add Dark Food – While these birds like dark food more, you can add orange halves and dark-colored jelly to attract them. You can hang a grape jelly oriole feeder in your garden.
While orioles are inherently shy birds, do not give up if your first attempt does not work! Attracting orioles may take a bit of charming to make them warm up to your backyard.Â
Also read our guide on how to attract orioles.
How to choose the right oriole feeder?
- Cleaning – Since feeders should be cleaned regularly, make sure to choose the one that is easy to clean. Opt for the saucer-style feeders, as you will find no hassle in cleaning them. However, if you are choosing other options, ensure you can disassemble its components.
– - Feeding Ports – Large feeders usually have more feeding ports. If you want to attract more birds, choose a large size feeder. Not only this, it will minimize the territorial fights and keep predators away from the food and feeder.
– - Capacity – When it comes to oriole feeders, they come in sizes ranging from 1oz to 32oz. If your area has large flocks of orioles, then you must go for a large feeder. Otherwise, you can opt for a smaller feeder.
– - Color – Since orioles love the color orange and different orange shades, make sure to choose the product that features brighter hues to attract the birdie.
– - Material – Usually, oriole feeders are made of metal, glass, and plastic. Note that, the first two mentioned materials are more durable than plastic. However, you can also opt for high-quality plastic.
– - Design – You will need a feeder specifically designed for orioles since they never like feeding alongside other birds.
Best oriole feeders
1. JCs Wildlife Oriole Feeder 3000
If you are looking for a bright orange bird feeder, then JCs feeder can be a good option.Â
Since it features a bright and beautiful shade of orange, this feeder can attract a flock of orioles to your garden.Â
The brand constructed it with recycled poly lumber, which makes it an environmentally friendly product on the list.Â
Since it includes two feeding jars, you can fill it up with the food of your choice. The beautiful design of the product will add beauty to your garden. If you hang it on a tree, it will look more attractive.
What we liked
- Environment-friendly
- Constructed with recycled poly lumber
- Features two cups
- Boasts attractive color
- Easy to clean
What we didn’t like
- You physically have to scrub it weekly or it will attract bees
How much seed/food can fit: 1lb 11oz.
What special about it: beautiful design and attractive orange shade
Dimensions: 7 x 7 x 11 inches
2. Songbird Essentials Ultimate Oriole Feeder
If you want a lightweight nectar feeder that holds more oranges, then you may consider opting for this feeder.Â
Since it comes with a 12-inch size disc, it can hold four halves of oranges and one-quarter of nectar.Â
Not only this, the Ultimate Oriole Feeder can also hold a good amount of jelly.Â
The simple yet elegant design of the product is accompanied by a bright orange color, which is quite enough to attract orioles in your garden or backyard.
It comes with a hook that allows you to attach the feeder at a height. However, I would suggest attaching it to the tree. What I like the most about this feeder is that it’s easy to clean and refill.
The built-in ant deterrent of the product keeps ants and bees away from the food. Instead of buying multiple feeders, you can install this product in your backyard and enjoy watching the beautiful bird.
What we liked
- Prevents ants and bees
- Offers a large and spacious place for orioles to perch and feed
- Easy to install and clean
What we didn’t like
- Other birds can flock to a wide array of food
How much seed/food can fit: 4 halves of oranges and one-quarter of nectar
What special about it: Large size
Dimensions: 12.5 x 12.5 x 2.2 inches
3. Birds Choice Flower Oriole Bird Feeder
This Birds Choice oriole feeder holds fruits and jelly at the same time, attracting more orioles to your vicinity.Â
This jelly feeder is lightweight, you can hang it anywhere you want.Â
The elegant design of this Birds Choice feeder can enhance your backyard looks, making it appear more attractive.
While most feeders for orioles come in orange color, this one boasts a very attractive shade of orange.Â
This feeder allows you to put two halves of fruit on the side pegs. You can fill jelly on the cup, which you will find at the center of the feeder.Â
However, the thing I like most about this feeder is it’s made of sturdy metal and, therefore, can handle the weight of several birds. If aesthetics are important for you, then this is a safe choice.
What we liked
- Made of quality metal
- Can hold jelly and fruit at the same time
- Features Elegant design, making your garden or yard appear more attractive
What we didn’t like
- Can be pricey for some
How much seed/food can fit: 3oz
What special about it: You will not need to assemble it
Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.5 x 8.5 inches
4. Gray Bunny Oriole Bird Feeder
This Gray Bunny feeder is quite durable thanks to steel construction.
The high-quality material used in the product is likely to make it last for longer than other feeders.Â
The design is simple yet attractive, which adds beautiful flair to your backyard, making it more welcoming and warming.
Additionally, it features two perches for birds to land, a glass jar for mealworms, jelly, or jam, and two fruit prongs.Â
The orange color steel frame helps attract orioles. The elegance this feeder displays can attract not only orioles but also other birds of your neighborhood.Â
However, it is important to mention here that it is not suitable for populated yards, as it comes in a smaller size. When it comes to placing this feeder, you can hang it anywhere instantly and easily.
What we liked
- Well designed jelly feeder
- You can utilize both cup and prongs
- Comes at affordable price
- Offers high durability
- Provides resistance against UV rays
- Features attractive aesthetics
- Sturdy enough for longer use
What we didn’t like
- Physically smaller than many other feeders
How much seed/food can fit: two halves of orange
What special about it: attractive design with three food options
Dimensions: 8 x 5 x 8 inches
5. Backyard Boys Oriole Feeder
This oriole feeder is an environment-friendly product, as Backyard manufactured it using recycled plastic.Â
The feeder includes four removable crocks, which allows you to put more food and enjoy watching four orioles at a time.Â
It features a stainless-steel cable, which you can use to hang the feeder at any height.
When it comes to installation, you will be able to screw it without any hassle.Â
Note that the screws come along with the feeder are of stainless steel, which offers extreme durability and keeps the feeder intact. It’s made from quality materials and is quite resistant to heavy weather.
What we liked
- You can easily put oranges in the feeder
- You can remove all the crocks easily
- It is environmentally-friendly
- A good quality feeder
- Made from recycled plastic
What we didn’t like
- It does not have enough room for other types of birds
How much seed/food can fit: 12oz nectar, four jelly bays, and half orange
What special about it: This feeder is environmentally friendly
Dimensions: 12 x 9 x 8 inches
Conclusion
It is no wonder that oriole is one of the most beautiful birds. Watching it will probably make you feel good. While attracting this orange bird is quite challenging, you can do that by installing the best nectar feeders available.
However, choosing the right feeder for oriole can be hectic since there are plenty of options available in the market. Fortunately, we have featured our favorite oriole feeders in the article.Â
Make sure to choose the one that suits your requirements perfectly. Always keep in mind to hang the feeder at height, as these vibrant colored birds usually fly high.
