Spring Migration Arrival: Baltimore Oriole

As the chill of winter gradually fades and the flowers of spring begin to appear, we welcome back one of northern Illinois’ most captivating avian visitors – the Baltimore Oriole. This beautifully colored bird, with its striking orange and black plumage, heralds the arrival of warmer days. The return of the Baltimore Oriole during spring migration is a momentous occasion for bird enthusiasts, as they eagerly anticipate the sight and sound of these stunning creatures gracing the treetops and gardens.

Identification: Look for a sturdy, medium-sized bird with a stunning, blazing orange body and a black head. The adult male Baltimore Oriole has an entirely black head and back with an orange rump. Its wings are black with a white bar running across and its outer tail feathers are orange. Females and young males are less striking in appearance, with yellowish-orange and dark gray or brown plumage. Both males and females have long legs and sharp beaks. The Baltimore Oriole averages around seven inches in length. And their wingspan is approximately ten inches. They weigh in at around 1 ¼ ounces.

Habitat at Carillon Stonegate Pond: Baltimore Orioles are seasonal visitors to our ponds. You may hear their rich, whistling song in the spring. They usually appear around April and will leave in August. If you have hummingbird feeders out, Baltimore Orioles will frequent them. Or you may see them perched at the tops of trees or flitting through the upper branches in search of insects.

Flight patterns: Their flight patterns tend to be swift and direct to their destination with rapid wing beats. You may also see Baltimore Oriole carrying out slow, fluttering flights between treetops.

Behavior: Baltimore Orioles are easily lured to backyard feeders. Listen for their distinctive chatter. They’re often seen perched at the tops of trees. You may also spot them plucking fruit from vines and bushes.

Diet: Baltimore Orioles eat insects, fruit, and nectar. Their diet varies by season. During the summer months when they breed and are feeding their young, more of their diet consists of insects, which are rich in the proteins needed for growth. In spring and fall time frame, nectar and ripe fruits comprise more of the diet as these sugary foods are converted into fat that supplies energy for their upcoming migration.

Residence: Baltimore Orioles are widespread east of the Great Plains. They arealso found in Central and South America. They reside in open woodland, along the forest edge, in orchards, and stands of trees along rivers, in parks, and in backyards. They are not found in deep forests. On their winter vacations in Central America, Baltimore Orioles apparently have a penchant for shade-grown coffee and cacao plantations!

Breeding and Nesting: Baltimore Orioles primarily nest in American elms or sometimes in maples and cottonwoods. The nest is firmly anchored to a fork in the slender upper branches of a tree. The distinctive nest – a sock-shaped pouch woven of grasses and other materials - usually hangs below a branch. Breeding season is in the spring.

Migration: Baltimore Orioles spend summer and winter in entirely different areas. From early April to late May, flocks of these birds begin to arrive in eastern and central U.S. (they are not generally found west of the Great Plains) to breed. As early as August, they begin their migration for their wintering grounds in Mexico, Central and South America. In the U.S., they may also winter in Florida (just like the White Sox used to do!).

Conservation status: There is low concern. According to the North American Breeding Bird Survey, the Baltimore Oriole has seen declining populations. Partners in Flight estimates the global breeding population at 12 million.

Vocalizations: The male Baltimore Oriole sings to establish and defend a breeding area in the spring. The sound is a flute-like, whistling tone that consists of a short series of paired notes, repeated multiple times but lasting only a few seconds. They also give a staccato chatter during aggressive encounters. Here is a link to the sounds of the Baltimore Oriole.

​Interesting Facts:

• State of Maryland's official state bird.

• Namesake of a professional baseball team, the Baltimore Orioles

• They were named because their coloring is similar to the colors on the heraldic crest of Lord Baltimore.

• They seem to prefer only ripe, dark-colored fruit.

• Partners in Flight estimates the global breeding population at 12 million.

• The oldest recorded Baltimore Oriole was over 12 years old.

For more information on the Baltimore Oriole and sources of information used in this blog (these are the sources that I am using to learn as I blog), please visit All About Birds, Audubon Society, National Geographic and National Wildlife Federation.  And the Cornell Lab of Ornithology provides a wonderful source of information for anyone interested in learning more about birds.

We all benefit from the variety of wetland, forest, and prairie environments that support diverse wildlife, plants, and insects of Carillon Stonegate Pond.

Take a hike and see what you can find – and identify!