Baltimore Oriole arrives to feed on suet

We've discussed putting out slices of oranges to attract migrating Baltimore Orioles, but before we had a chance to try that, a brilliant black and orange oriole arrived in our Regina, SK, backyard, attracted by suet. 

Baltimore Oriole, waiting to dive onto the suet branch.  © SB

We saw this Baltimore Oriole on and off over three days — but perhaps it's now moved on. Yesterday morning was our last sighting. 

What a lovely sign of spring! 

What is this? A Baltimore Oriole  

Location: Backyard, Saskatchewan, Canada. 
Photo dates: May 13, 2016.

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Baltimore Orioles in Regina Backyard: Our First Ever

I was called downstairs for a surprise this morning:

Three Baltimore Orioles were on our bird feeders — the first we've ever had in our Regina, Saskatchewan, backyard.

Early Morning: Baltimore Oriole on one of our Regina bird feeders. © SB

(We even had a special feeder hung for them one year, a sign of our somewhat misguided, though eternal, optimism.)

What astonishingly, brilliantly orange birds Baltimore Orioles are!

What is this? Baltimore Orioles. 
Location: Backyard, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada.   

Photo date: May 20, 2014.   

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Baltimore Orioles in Regina: High in Wascana Park Trees

Baltimore Oriole near the tree top. © SB 

High in Regina trees near sunset last night, I saw five Baltimore Orioles — four males, one female.

(Perhaps there were more female Baltimore Orioles, but they are not as easy to see, being a soft yellow rather than the fiery torch orange of the males — a colour that's even brighter in red sun rays.)

I was at Wascana Park, Regina, Saskatchewan, in and around the bird pond by the Conexus Arts Centre, and what a gathering of birds!

Canada Geese, Double-crested Cormorants, Eastern and Western Kingbirds, Robins, a Brown Thrasher, three kinds of Warblers (Yellow, Yellow-rumped and Orange-crested), various sparrow and lots of Red-winged Blackbirds.

But the Baltimore Orioles were my favourite, live energy glowing and crackling at the tops of the tree! I love that orange flash!

Baltimore Oriole feeding
on (insects in?) old leaves. © SB 

Baltimore Oriole - male. © SB 

Baltimore Oriole - female.  © SB 

A reader posted to say that these birds are called Northern Orioles... Perhaps in some places, but recent printings of my guides continue to use the name, Baltimore Orioles. 

Cornell's All About Birds has this to say:

"The Baltimore Oriole hybridizes extensively with the Bullock's Oriole where their ranges overlap in the Great Plains. The two species were considered the same for a while and called the Northern Oriole, but in the 1990s, after genetic studies, they were separated again."

So, Baltimore Oriole is the name I'm using here. 


What are there? Baltimore Orioles
Location: Wascana Park, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada.  

Photo date: May 18, 2013.

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Baltimore Oriole: Improbably, brilliantly orange

I've seen very few Baltimore Orioles this season — only two, in fact: first, the improbably, brilliantly orange and black bird in this photograph, taken in Saskatchewan's Qu'Appelle Valley; and second, an equally vibrantly orange bird, high in a tree in Regina's Wascana Park.

Baltimore Orioles summer and breed here, but so far, the specialized oriole feeder we bought is not doing its job: Not a single oriole has been sighted in or near our yard.

I was startled when this bird landed on a post beside me;
such a brilliant colour!  © SB

What is this bird? A Baltimore Oriole
Location: In the Qu'Appelle Valley, on the road from Rte 99 over to the little church near Craven, Saskatchewan. 

Photo date:  May 25, 2012. 

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