Baltimore Oriole by Phil Brown
The Baltimore Oriole is one of the most beloved bird species by backyard birders, and for good reason! It’s colorful, it enjoys the fruits and jellies put out in feeders, it creates incredible nests, and importantly, it sings a delightful, jolly tune.
Baltimore Orioles spend their winters in the much warmer climates in Central and South America. For this reason, they are a species that benefits from shade-grown coffee and cacao farms in these places, especially those that carry the Smithsonian’s Bird Friendly® Certification.
They migrate to northern climates like Wisconsin, usually arriving in late April or early May where they find a smorgasbord of grape jelly bowls and orange halves awaiting them on decks and balconies. This nice source of sugar is important for migration, though they really rely on high-protein food sources like insects and spiders during the breeding season and to feed their young. Having lots of native plants in your yard is a wonderful way to supplement orioles’ diets!
Baltimore Orioles are closely related to other native blackbirds, including Red-winged Blackbirds, meadowlarks, and Bobolinks so you might hear some similarities in these species’ sounds. It’s a fun thing to try and listen for!
Song:
This is a woodland bird, and they are often heard from high up in tall trees. A person doesn’t usually have to listen too hard to hear them — their full-bodied, rich whistle notes are loud and proud! Males sing to establish their territory and attract a female mate. You’ll hear some classic blackbird noises in between whistles. Females also sing, and their songs tend to be shorter and likely to communicate with their mate.
Their alarm call sounds like a really rapid chattering, used to alert other orioles to a threat or scare away the threat.
Baltimore Orioles are a delightful species to hear and recognize — what a treat to know they’re nearby! Listen for that rich, joyful tune in the next few weeks as nesting season continues!
Who’s That Singing? is a series designed for Birding by Ear class participants but available to anyone interested in learning more!
Written by Brenna Marsicek, Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance director of outreach
