Baltimore Oriole

Jill StaakeUpdated: Apr. 24, 2020

This stunning bird is very similar in appearance to its western cousin, the Bullock’s Oriole. At one time, both species were considered one species, the northern oriole. Their ranges overlap in the middle of the country.

Photos

Roland Jordahl
Baltimore Oriole, male
Linda Petersen
Baltimore Oriole, male
Linda Petersen
Baltimore Oriole, female

Information

Baltimore OrioleRoland Jordahl
Roland Jordahl Baltimore Oriole, male

Scientific Name: Icterus galbula
Family: Blackbird.
Length: 8 inches.
Wingspan: 11-1/2 inches.
Distinctive Markings: Male has a full black hood and fire-orange plumage. Female is drab yellow with dusky-brown wings.
Nest: Woven bag-like structure on a tree branch; holds three to seven bluish or grayish speckled eggs.
Voice: Short series of clear whistles in varied pattern.
Habitat: Deciduous woodlands, parks and suburbs.
Diet: Mostly insects and berries.
Backyard Favorites: Sugar water, oranges and grape jelly.

Bird Song & Range Map

Listen to the Baltimore Oriole’s song and learn where to spot them!

Bird songs provided by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

Baltimore Oriole Bird SpeciesRange maps provided by Kaufman Field Guides, the official field guide of Birds & Blooms.

Originally Published: September 27, 2013

Jill Staake
Jill Staake
Jill lives in Tampa, Florida, and writes about gardening, butterflies, outdoor projects and birding. When she's not gardening, you'll find her reading, traveling and happily digging her toes into the sand on the beach.