Forget Seed: Add This Oriole-Attracting Alternative To Your Bird Feeder In Summer

If you put a bird feeder in your yard, you will see a number of birds. But one type of bird you might not see on your bird feeder is the oriole. Orioles are known for their brightly colored plumage, and they are a favorite of birding enthusiasts in their home region of the central and eastern United States. So, people often feel disappointed when they don't see orioles at their birdfeeders and wonder why. Well, the reason is that orioles are primarily insect and fruit feeders. If you want to attract them, you have to either use fruit or insects like mealworms. 

This is especially important in summer when they are breeding and need a lot of protein. In fact, young orioles don't eat anything other than insects during the first weeks of their lives. So, make sure to add mealworms to feeders in summer. If you are putting just seeds in your bird feeder, like most, they might not visit your bird feeders. The only type of seeds they eat are sunflower seeds. And depending on where you get your birdseed from, the seed mix might not contain sunflower seeds. But why don't orioles eat other seeds? 

Well, that is because their beaks are not designed for cracking open grain and seed. Birds that eat seeds have thick conical beaks that can exert a lot of pressure. The beaks of orioles, on the other hand, are thin and slender. They are designed for probing into flowers or picking insects. You can also hang hummingbird feeders around your yard to attract orioles as they also feed on nectar. Just beware of the mistakes to avoid when making homemade hummingbird nectar.

If you just add mealworms to your bird feeder, orioles will come. But if you truly care about these birds and want to support them a little more, there are a few easy ways you can make this mealworm treat even more appealing. First of all, if you can use live mealworms. Live mealworms not only feed the orioles, but they hydrate them as well. If, however, you have dried mealworms only, soak them in water for about 30 minutes before putting them out. This is especially important during the dry seasons when water sources are scarce, and birds are thirsty.

Also, make sure to use an appropriate feeder from which mealworms can't escape, in case you are using live mealworms. Any smooth-sided feeder, such as a ceramic, glass, or plastic dish, works well. You can even turn an old jar into a bird feeder orioles can't resist. Just keep in mind, though, that mealworms are low in calcium, and calcium is really important for birds' bones. 

So, make sure you also add some calcium-rich fruits like oranges to the menu. In addition, you can also attract orioles with sweet shrubs like highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum). Just make sure that you live in USDA plant hardiness zones 3 to 8 before you grow them in your yard.