Perch Supply
Blackbirds (Icteridae)

Baltimore Oriole

Icterus galbula. Caterpillars in summer; nectar and ripe fruit.

Blackbirds (Icteridae)Baltimore OrioleIcterus galbula
Scientific name
Icterus galbula
Length
6.7–7.5 in
Weight
1.1–1.4 oz
Nest
Deep hanging pouch woven at the tip of a tall branch
Entrance hole
Does not use nest boxes
Clutch
3–7 eggs
Incubation
11–14 days
Broods
1 per season

Identification

  • Male flaming orange with a black hood and back
  • Female yellow-orange with grey-brown wings
  • White wing bars

Voice

Rich, flute-like whistled phrases.

Diet and feeding

Caterpillars in summer; nectar and ripe fruit.

What do Baltimore orioles eat? · Best feeder for Baltimore orioles

Baltimore Orioles by state and province

RegionStatusNesting
AlbertaSummer breederJune–July
ConnecticutSummer breederMay–July
DelawareSummer breederMay–July
IllinoisSummer breederMay–July
IndianaSummer breederMay–July
IowaSummer breederMay–July
KansasSummer breederMay–July
KentuckySummer breederMay–July
MaineSummer breederJune–July
ManitobaSummer breederJune–July
MarylandSummer breederMay–July
MassachusettsSummer breederMay–July
MichiganSummer breederMay–July
MinnesotaSummer breederJune–July
MissouriSummer breederMay–July
MontanaSummer breederJune–July
NebraskaSummer breederMay–July
New BrunswickSummer breederJune–July
New HampshireSummer breederJune–July
New JerseySummer breederMay–July
New YorkSummer breederMay–July
North CarolinaSummer breederMay–July
North DakotaSummer breederJune–July
Nova ScotiaSummer breederJune–July
OhioSummer breederMay–July
OklahomaSummer breederMay–July
OntarioSummer breederJune–July
PennsylvaniaSummer breederMay–July
QuebecSummer breederJune–July
Rhode IslandSummer breederMay–July
SaskatchewanSummer breederJune–July
South DakotaSummer breederMay–July
TennesseeSummer breederMay–July
TexasSummer breederApril–July
VermontSummer breederJune–July
VirginiaSummer breederMay–July
West VirginiaSummer breederMay–July
WisconsinSummer breederJune–July

Frequently asked

What do Baltimore orioles eat?

Caterpillars in summer; nectar and ripe fruit. At feeders: orange halves, grape jelly (in small amounts), nectar.

How big is a Baltimore Oriole?

6.7–7.5 in long and 1.1–1.4 oz.

Do Baltimore orioles use birdhouses?

No. Deep hanging pouch woven at the tip of a tall branch.

Sources

  1. Baltimore Oriole — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
  2. Baltimore Oriole life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
  3. Baltimore Oriole — Audubon Guide to North American Birds

Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.