Although there are nine species of orioles which come to the United States from South America and Mexico, the above 3 species are the most regularly encountered. In the southern states, they arrive to build their nests at the beginning of April. In the north, they arrive between mid April and the beginning of May.

When the orioles first arrive from their long journey, they prefer to eat fruits and berries, but they will also eat insects. You can attract them to your yard with chopped pears, orange slices, chopped apples, or sliced bananas. These can be offered on a platform feeder or in a suet feeder. Suet that has fruit or insects in it is good to attract orioles. You also may want to try grape preserves or orange marmalade. You will need to replace these fruits and preserves daily to keep them as fresh as possible.

There are nectar feeders for orioles that are very similar to hummingbird feeders. Hummingbird feeders are usually red, and oriole feeders are orange and have larger feeding holes. Nectar for oriole feeders can be purchased, or you can make your own. This is done by boiling together one part sugar to six parts water. Let the mixture cool before putting it in the feeder, and store any leftovers in the refrigerator. The nectar will need to be changed every four to five days, and the feeder should be washed in hot soapy water.

You may want to consider planting certain trees and bushes, and you can offer nesting materials to attract orioles. They like elms, poplars, willows, and cottonwoods. They also like to feast on cherries, figs, and a variety of nuts. Pet fur, natural fiber twine, dull colored string, and natural colored yarn can be offered for nesting material. Make sure any strings you make available are no longer than six inches so the birds don't become tangled in them. Don't be discouraged if you don't attract orioles right away. It can take time to bring new birds to your yard. Seeing your first oriole will be well worth your time and effort.

Oriole Nectar Recipe:

Mix 1 cup of boiling water with 1/6 cup of sugar (regular white sugar works fine)

The basic recipe is six parts water to one part sugar. Allow the water to cool enough before hanging the feeder back in its position outside. Any left over sugar-water can be stored in the refrigerator for several days.

Nectar should be replaced a minimum of once a week and more often in the summer. When possible, it is best to locate the feeder in a shady area. Clean your oriole feeder with mild detergent and rinse thoroughly when you replace the nectar. Orioles as well as hummingbirds are attracted to its rich orange flavor.