Waiting for Orioles

I heard an oriole yesterday but have yet to see one at my feeders.

Grape jelly and orange halves are the food to put out for them. There are tons of oriole feeders on the market now and most of them work well. After owning different types for years, my simple home-made feeder works the best for me because I can place it on my deck railing which is great for viewing and accommodates the most at one time.

It is just a 2x6 board with two screws on the end for the orange pieces and a plastic cup that is secured by velcro so I can take it off easy to refill. The board sits on a 90 degree bend in the railing held down with a bungee cord.

Baltimore and an Orchard Oriole on the feeder last May.

Everyone is clued into providing grape jelly for orioles but I find oranges to be very much desired and eaten by other species as well.

A female Rose-breasted Grosbeak feasting on the oranges.

Oranges on the ground will be eaten - in this case by a red squirrel.

And these guys, the Red-bellied Woodpeckers, just love oranges.