As we transition to fall there are always surprises at the birdfeeder.
The other day I did a double take when I saw a flash of orange on my peanut feeder (the fishing line is to deter House Sparrows).
This Baltimore Oriole pecked at the peanuts for a few minutes and then moved to the suet feeder and took a few bites. I haven’t seen an oriole in my yard since May migration season.
Orioles are insect, fruit and nectar eaters, so perhaps this was a juvenile exploring other options.
I’m no longer surprised by any bird that drops in to my yard to try something they normally don’t eat. In the spring I had a House Wren that visited my peanut cup regularly. Recently my robin was back eating safflower seeds from the platform feeder, and last week I watched as a hummingbird stuck its beak into my hanging peanut feeder!