We’re passionate about birds and nature. That’s why we opened a Wild Birds Unlimited Nature Shop in our community.
4215 NW 16th Boulevard
Gainesville, FL 32605
Phone: (352) 381-1997
Fax: (352) 381-1995
Email: Send Message
Store Hours:
Mon - Sat: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Sun: 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Many of us have been feeding birds in the Gainesville area for years and have never seen a Baltimore Oriole at our feeders. Maybe we’ve never seen one at all. But within a few miles of your house, there are people feeding Baltimore Orioles all winter long. In a few unusual cases, the orioles are thick enough to form flocks of up to 30 or so birds.
How do they do it? The first part of the answer is nectar and suet. Orioles don’t typically take seed from feeders. These legendary oriole flocks are visiting yards in which they consistently find good sources of nectar and suet.
The second part of the answer is perseverance. Orioles are difficult to attract to any feeder but discipline helps tremendously. Anywhere that you find flocks of orioles you also find a dedicated human attendant who is determined to maintain feeders with fresh nectar and suet so that there orioles stick around all winter and return the next.
For those of us who can’t or won’t make that kind of commitment to our potential oriole-attracting feeders, there is still a fair chance of attracting smaller numbers of orioles in sporadic visits. The simplest oriole feeder is a halved orange impaled on a nail or spike but if you want a touch of style, much more decorative fruit feeders are available at WBU.
There are also nectar feeders specially designed to accommodate orioles.
Finally, orioles tend to take suet embellished with fruit flavorings. Try offering Craivin’ Raisin or Fruit Cakes suet in the winter to increase your chances of hosting a Baltimore Oriole.
