Orchard Orioles are a summer
resident of parks, gardens, and woodland edges. They migrate in large flocks
very early in late summer or early fall. They are smaller and have a much
ruddier orange plumage than do the other Orioles in the state, the
Baltimore Oriole and
Bullock's Oriole. The photo on the right depicts
the male. More photos, including females, can be found at the bottom of the
page.
Habitat: Prefers woodland edges,
woodland clearings, residential areas, parks. Avoids unbroken forest.
Can often be found in rather open areas with scattered stands of trees as
well.
Diet: Primarily insects, also fruit and berries, nectar, and
flowers.
Behavior: Searches low through trees, bushes, and
weedy fields in search of insects. They are known as "nectar robbers",
getting nectar without pollinating a flower by piercing the base of flowers
to obtain nectar, bypassing the parts of the flower that allow for
pollination.
Nesting: May through July
Migration: Neotropical migrant, summering in the eastern 2/3rds
of the U.S., wintering in Central and South America.
Similar Species: Male unmistakable, with different
tone and pattern than other Orioles. Female similar to female Baltimore
Oriole and Bullock's Oriole.
Status: Has decreased in some parts of its range,
such as areas in the east where forest regeneration in some areas has
eliminated edge habitat and woodland edges that Orchard Orioles often
prefer. However, they have also seemingly increased in range and
number in parts of the Northern Great Plains. Orchard Orioles are
extremely common victims of
Brown-headed Cowbird parasitism, with studies in some areas showing up
to 50% of nests being victimized. These same studies have shown that
Orchard Orioles who are victims of cowbird parasitism only successfully
fledge half as many Orchard Oriole nestlings as do nests that aren't
parasitized. See photos at the bottom of the page for a male Orchard
Oriole feeding a Brown-headed
Cowbird fledgling.
Feeders: Will drink
sugar-water from feeders, also will come for fruit.
2)
Cornell University's "All About Birds - Orchard Oriole"
3)
eNature.com:
Orchard Oriole
Photo Information: July 22nd, 2008 - Minnehaha
County - Terry Sohl
Additional Photos: Click on the image chips or
text links below for additional, higher-resolution Orchard Oriole photos.
