Turn An Old Jar Into A Bird Feeder Orioles Can't Resist

If you are a bit of a bird nerd, you probably love to see orioles in your yard. These vibrant birds are always wonderful to watch, and it is amazing to think about the long, migratory travels many of them take every year. There are quite a few different types of orioles you may see in your yard, depending on where you are in the U.S., but they all have one thing in common. These birds have a sweet tooth! This means that you can attract these birds to your garden and give them the energy they need by turning an old jar into a bird feeder for them and filling it with jelly. 

To create a simple bird feeder that will attract more orioles to your yard, have a look in your recycling caddy for a jar. It needs to be fairly shallow, so they can access the jelly. Something that is around 1 inch deep and 3 or 4 inches wide is perfect. You don't want it too big, as you should only be putting a small amount of jelly out for the orioles. Alongside a jar, you will need something to secure it in place on your fence, trellis, bird feeder, or tree to stop it from getting knocked off when the birds feed from it. Wire, screws, or even strong garden twine can be used.

Once you have your suitable jar, you will need to fasten it to something in your garden, such as a tree or fence. Using your chosen method, secure the jar in place. You can then add a small amount of jelly to it for the orioles. Grape jelly is preferred by these birds, but you can also try out other types, such as raspberry, cherry, or blackberry. Make sure the jelly you use is natural and free of dyes and additives. 

It is really important that you only put out a small amount of jelly and keep an eye on the feeder. There have been instances of orioles getting covered in jelly and becoming too sticky to fly, so only placing little spoonfuls of jelly can help to keep the birds safe. Furthermore, it is a good idea to have other food sources for orioles in your yard as well. Jelly is really sugary, which does give them that energy hit they need for migrating, but too much may not be good for the birds. 

You can put jelly into your DIY bird feeder throughout the year when orioles are in your area, but spring and fall are often the best seasons for highly sugary food. This will give them the boost of energy they need before and after they migrate. You may want to avoid placing jelly out for orioles in the hotter months because if the jelly melts, the birds are at more risk of getting stuck in it.