Q: We put out hummingbird feeders in mid-April and before the hummingbirds came, there were two yellowish-orange birds feeding from the feeders.
Someone said they were Baltimore orioles. When they feed, they tip the hummingbird feeders almost sideways. They are quite colorful and we think we heard their song or something that ends by sounding like a large drop of water hitting a shallow pool. We would like to keep them around our house. Could you give us any information about them?
J.D. of O'Fallon
A. It sounds like you got two early arriving male Baltimore orioles (Icterus galbula). The female oriole is greenish-yellow in color and may have already arrived recently or on their way. Similar to other birds, the two sexes do not migrate together. In the St. Louis area, they arrive mid to late April. They will feed on halved oranges as well as hummingbird feeders. You can find oriole feeders that are orange in color and usually wider at the base which makes it easier for them to feed without tipping the feeder and having some of the liquid spill out. There are also larger perches for them to land on while feeding. But if you are going to purchase these, make sure that they close at the feeding hole so that this does not become a feeder for wasps as well.
Females will arrive in early May after the males have already set up territories. Nest building will begin in mid-May and breeding in late May until mid July. Then they will migrate beginning in mid-August. There have been many studies on breeding birds concerning calls and various movements during the courtship with dropping the wings lower and the males bowing around the females. The calls have sometimes been described as melodious flute sounds.
Oriole nests are unusual in their construction. They can be anywhere from six to 60 feet above ground and usually at the outermost end of a branch. The nest is a long woven sack suspended from the branch. The female builds the nest, and it takes about five to eight days to build. She starts with long fibers of plants, string, or hair and looped around the branches and lets these hang down. Then she may add longer grasses or bark from grape vines. After the outside of the nest is finished she lines the inside with feathers, wool, willow fuzz, or other soft materials. During this whole time, the male will not help, but remains nearby and sings. During the winter these nests are usually very visible and you may want to explore a nearby wooded area to find them. You may be surprised to see how many you may find in a small area. If it is an ideal habitat, there could be many over a two- or three-acre area. They do not use the same nest from year to year but may take material from the old one to help build the new one.
Orioles also feed on a large number of insects especially on caterpillars and beetles. These birds can help control these insects near the vegetable garden. They also will eat both wild and cultivated fruit when available.
These birds have also been observed crushing ants near a sliced orange and then rubbing the dead or injured ants on their feathers. It is believed that the dead ants release formic acid from their bodies when crushed and the orioles may use this to kill or prevent mites from feeding on them.
Things to do this week:
Take a walk through the woods as the wildflowers - the spring ephemerals --are in full bloom.
With the wet spring we have had, check for slugs especially under boards.
Plant water lilies as the water warms.
Check for caterpillars on vegetable plants and also in your ornamental fruit trees and shrubs.
Now is the time to plant tomatoes and other vegetable transplants in the garden.
Keep track of the oak tree leaves. When they are the size of a squirrel's ear, plant your sweet corn seed.
