To attract orioles (in Southern Ontario, that's the Baltimore Oriole) set out halved oranges "juicy side out," grape jelly, and oriole nectar on feeders near the house and patio. Timing matters most: orioles generally arrive in Ontario in mid- to late May, so have your feeders up and ready before then, or they'll often pass you by for better feeding grounds.
At Urban Nature Store, we help birders across Southern Ontario welcome these striking visitors every spring. Here's exactly what to offer, when to put it out, the best feeders to use, and how orioles nest once they settle in.
What food attracts orioles best?
Oranges are one of the keys to attracting orioles. Cut them in half and set them out "juicy side out." You can also draw orioles up close with oriole nectar, grape jelly, and fresh fruit on feeders near the house and patio.
Many people offer jelly year-round, since woodpeckers, robins, warblers, and other birds enjoy it too. Grape jellies are usually the most effective. Urban Nature Store's BirdBerry Jelly, an all-natural grape-and-blackberry blend with no preservatives or corn sweeteners, has proven to attract more birds.
When do orioles arrive, and why does timing matter?
Orioles migrate at night, so they arrive tired, cold, and hungry. If you wait until you actually see one, you can be too late to attract the most birds to your yard. Migrations vary from year to year, but in Ontario orioles generally arrive mid- to late May — so it's important to have your oriole feeders up and stocked ahead of time, or they'll often move on to better feeding grounds.
What's the best feeder for orioles?
A dedicated oriole feeder with perches and a dish for orange halves and jelly works best — the Fruit and Jelly Oriole Feeder holds four orange halves and a jelly dish at once, or you can browse the full oriole feeder range to compare sizes and styles. Oriole nectar uses the same sugar-water idea as hummingbird nectar, but oriole bills are too big for most hummingbird ports, so a feeder built for orioles works far better. Place it out in the open near the house so passing orioles can spot it, and choose one with orange accents — orioles are strongly drawn to the colour.
How do orioles nest and raise their young?
Where nesting material is available, orioles will defend an area of several acres and build a pendulous, hanging nest. You can encourage them by offering long strips of natural twine or pet hair during nesting season — a Birdie Bell is an easy way to dispense it.
Orioles weave a remarkable suspended nest, with the female normally taking 5–8 days to do all the weaving. The male defends the territory and occasionally inspects the construction, but offers little help. The finished nest can be as much as 8 inches long and usually hangs from the tips of branches over open areas such as rivers or roads.
The female lays 4–5 pale gray to bluish eggs, which she alone incubates until they hatch in 12–14 days. Both parents then feed the young until they fledge about 12–14 days later. By summer's end, the whole family departs for their tropical wintering grounds in Central and South America.
Why orioles are a backyard favourite
With their strikingly beautiful black-and-orange (or yellow) plumage, distinctive whistle, rich spring songs, and amazing suspended nest, orioles are quickly becoming one of North America's favourite birds. More than eight oriole species are seen regularly across the United States and Canada, but in Southern Ontario we typically see the Baltimore Oriole (the smaller, chestnut-toned Orchard Oriole turns up less often).
Except in the U.S. Southeast, all orioles are tropical migrants — which is exactly why getting your feeders out before they arrive matters so much. Baltimore Oriole ranges appear to be expanding, while Bullock's and Orchard Orioles are declining, so a well-stocked backyard genuinely helps.
Ready for oriole season? Shop oriole feeders, jelly, and nectar → — with free shipping on most Canadian orders over $125.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do orioles arrive in Southern Ontario?
Generally mid- to late May, though it varies year to year. Have your feeders up and stocked before then — orioles that don't find food quickly will move on to better feeding grounds.
What food attracts orioles best?
Halved oranges (juicy side out) and grape jelly are the top draws; nectar and other fresh fruit work well too. A natural grape-and-blackberry jelly like BirdBerry tends to pull in the most birds.
Do orioles use hummingbird feeders?
They'll drink the same sugar-water nectar, but their bills are often too big for hummingbird ports. An oriole feeder with larger perches and a jelly or orange dish works much better.
How long do oriole eggs take to hatch?
The female lays 4–5 eggs and incubates them alone for 12–14 days. Both parents then feed the young until they fledge about 12–14 days after hatching.
When do orioles leave for the winter?
By summer's end, orioles head south to their tropical wintering grounds in Central and South America, so most have left Southern Ontario by late summer.
