Habitat: The stunning Baltimore Oriole is a common summer
to visitor to eastern and midwestern deciduous woodlands,
neighborhoods, and gardens. Baltimore Orioles winter
in the tropics.
Description: About 7 inches in length, the male Baltimore Oriole
has a black head, throat, back and wings. Its breast,
stomach, and rump are bright orange. It also has
an orange patch on the top of each wing and white
wing bars. The tail is mostly black with orange
fringes. The female is dull orange throughout.
Range: Baltimore Orioles range throughout the eastern and
midwestern United States, and can be found as far
west as the Dakotas. At the western edge of their
range, Baltimore Orioles may breed with the Bullock's
Oriole (They were once considered the same species
under the name Northern Oriole).
Behavior: Baltimore Orioles build unusual pouchlike nests
that hang down from branches. They usually nest
high in the trees, but often come down to lower
heights, flashing bright orange and black feathers
to delighted observers. Active and acrobatic by
nature, Baltimore Orioles may even feed upside down
at times.
Diet: Baltimore
Orioles eat insects and berries. They can easily
be attracted to gardens by nailing orange wedges
to tree branches. Baltimore Orioles are also known
to feed at hummingbird feeders and sapsucker wells.
