I was thrilled when a male Orchard Oriole appeared at my feeders in early May. The birds have beautiful chestnut-colored breasts and a black hood. They are only in the United States briefly in the late spring and early summer to breed before they migrate back to Central America.
Orchard Orioles eat insects, nectar, berries and other fruits. I was taking photos of the migrating Baltimore Orioles who were enjoying the orange halves and grape jelly I put out for them when this Orchard Oriole swooped down from the treetops and appeared in my camera’s viewfinder. He made a beeline for the grape jelly:
Orchard Orioles are the smallest North American Oriole (6-7″). The birds aren’t particularly territorial and have been known to nest communally with fellow orioles, or other songbird species like robins or Chipping Sparrows.
This wasn’t a life bird for me because last year a female Orchard Oriole arrived in my yard with a flock of Baltimore Orioles. Like most female songbirds, female Orchard Orioles are much more drab than their mates, but that helps them stay hidden them when they are sitting on a nest.
The male Orchard Oriole only visited my yard for a day last month, so I soaked up every moment.