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Chickie · 05-06-2009, 06:17 PM

Several years ago when I first spotted Orioles in my back yard, I invested in an Oriole feeder similar to that one. It took a while for them to show any interest, but they eventually began coming and shared it with the hummingbirds.

I have since learned that they much prefer suet. I usually stop putting out suet once the winter has passed, but one year I still had a supply in the freezer and continued to put some out into May. To my surprise when the Orioles arrived that year, they began coming to the suet. They much preferred it to the orange flavored mixture I was using in the feeder. When given the choice, they chose the suet every time. They also like oranges. However, they have a definite preference for caterpillars and once there is an abundance of those (by around the first of June), they will abandon the suet and go for the creepy crawlies. I have seen them stationed in trees near nests of hatching caterpillars thoroughly enjoying a live banquet.

05-06-2009, 06:17 PM	#9
Chickie Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 370 Thanks: 0 Thanked 68 Times in 39 Posts	Oriole Feeders Several years ago when I first spotted Orioles in my back yard, I invested in an Oriole feeder similar to that one. It took a while for them to show any interest, but they eventually began coming and shared it with the hummingbirds. I have since learned that they much prefer suet. I usually stop putting out suet once the winter has passed, but one year I still had a supply in the freezer and continued to put some out into May. To my surprise when the Orioles arrived that year, they began coming to the suet. They much preferred it to the orange flavored mixture I was using in the feeder. When given the choice, they chose the suet every time. They also like oranges. However, they have a definite preference for caterpillars and once there is an abundance of those (by around the first of June), they will abandon the suet and go for the creepy crawlies. I have seen them stationed in trees near nests of hatching caterpillars thoroughly enjoying a live banquet.