Orioles are medium-sized birds having thick necks and long legs. Many people want to attract these birds to their yard but attracting a bird is not easy.
It is so because birds get easily scared off and very few birds are attracted to humans. But if you want to see orioles in your yard daily, then some tricks can fulfill your wish.
With this article, we have mentioned those tips that work efficiently with many people. Let’s get started.
Tip 1: Install orioles specific feeders
It is common to see orioles trying to use the hummingbird feeders but their tongues are too big.
Due to this reason, they cannot hover around them and they mostly knock down the feeders.
To tackle this problem, you need to install the orioles-specific feeders. Such feeders help them to efficiently eat the food.
You need to make sure that the feeder has enough perches and drinking ports. This bird usually gets attracted to the vibrant colors and specifically orange.
These feeders normally come in bright orange and yellow colors. This kind of feeder caters to the needs of the orioles.
There are some additional features in these feeders which have places to put ripe fruit or other treats for these birds.
Tip 2: Provide mealworms in summer
During the summer times, orioles often switch their diet to more protein-rich foods. While jelly and fruits are best for the meal during the spring and fall months.
During summers, you need to provide them with a diet that consists of insects and which can give protein necessary for breeding and raising their young ones.
At the start of the nesting season, you need to sprinkle mealworms on the top of the jelly cups. Make sure to offer the suet in small chunks which the birds can easily nibble.
Tip 3: Location of the feeder matters
The location of the feeder should be perfect as it should be visible to the birds while birds fly overhead or sit high atop their perches.
These birds usually don’t stay close to the busy areas. Therefore, you should keep the feeders separated from human activity. This will allow the birds to feel safe and feed in peace.
Tip 4: Attracting birds with orange ribbon
Like other birds, Orioles gets attracted to bright and flashy colors. As we have mentioned above, the feeders of these birds are often orange as this color attracts these birds. If you want to attract orioles to your backyard, then use orange ribbons. You can tie orange ribbon, a strip of cloth, or surveyors tape around trees, branches, or railings.
These birds will try to take a close look at your yard or feeding station after seeing these orange ribbons or cloth.
Tip 5: Homemade nectar can be a solution
The orioles enjoy drinking sugar water or nectar which gives them an instant energy boost. You can either purchase this nectar or make a nectar solution at home. You need to add four parts hot water to one part sugar.
Stir the mixture continuously until the sugar is completely dissolved. Now, cool it at room temperature.
The sugar can be easily dissolved in hot water but boiled water is considered best as it helps the mixture last long when stored in the fridge. You should never use food coloring and it should be nectar fresh.
Tip 6: Attracting with grape jelly
You can attract these birds with an energizing food source like grape jelly. Orioles prefer ripe, dark-colored fruit.
You can easily attract these birds with a small amount of dark jelly. Serve this jelly in a cup or shallow dish but the container should be cleaned.
However, jelly is a sugary food that can attract other insects as well. Therefore, you can use small tins or plastic lids for it.
But it should be fastened to something else the birds will knock it down to the ground.
You can make the jelly last longer by combining one part jelly with one part water in a blender. The consistency should be of thick juice. This will keep it last longer.
Tip 7: Encourage nesting
To attract the orioles, you should encourage nesting in your backyard. These birds usually look for tall trees to make their nests.
However, these birds do not nest in birdhouses. You can encourage their nesting by offering willow, oak, poplar, cottonwood, elm, or similar trees to them in your backyard.
They usually prefer plant fibers, grasses, vines, strings, and strips of bark to make a nest. You can offer slender fibers such as pet fur, hair, or yarn of length 3-4 inches. Orioles also re-uses nesting material each year, so you can also leave their old nests for the next spring.
Tip 8: Planting flowers
The native plants and flowers can be the best attraction for these birds. We know nectar feeders are a great alternative to feed these birds but the natural nectar from flowers will never be rejected by these birds.
You should plant more flowers in your yard and especially those that are vibrant orange.
You can find the native plants online and can grow them in your area. These native plants will also offer a host of insects that will be beneficial for these birds.
Tip 9: Keep Ants away
If you want to attract these birds by installing a nectar feeder for them, then you have to remember that ants are also attracted to sugary elements.
Ants, bees, and other insects get attracted to the sweet nectar and fruits which will discourage these birds from visiting your feeder.
Straight jelly and orange halves can be the highest attractive products for most of the bugs and they should be changed regularly.
To keep the ants away from the feeder you can use ant moat to the feeder so that they will not clog the holes. If your feeder doesn’t come with such guards, then you can also use vegetable oils near the feeder to avoid insects near it.
Conclusion
Attracting birds to your yard can be a fun task and seeing it successful can be a reason for happiness. If you also want to attract orioles to your yard, then use the above-mentioned tips to get effective results. Thank You For Reading!