If you want to entice orioles to visit your yard, you have to do more than just put out any old feeder. Orioles don’t visit traditional wild bird seed feeders because they prefer insects, nectar, and fruits.
A few years ago, I was visiting my friend in her bird-friendly backyard and noticed that she had a lot of orioles. What would I need to do if I wanted orioles in my yard? That’s when I learned all about oriole feeders!
Unlike traditional birdseed feeders, oriole feeders incorporate features like dishes for jelly, stakes for skewering oranges, and a sturdy ledge for the birds to stand on while eating.
There are three main strategies for attracting orioles: jellies, fruits, and nectar.
Some feeders incorporate all three, whereas others just do one or another. There are a few other options, too, like using a hummingbird feeder or offering mealworms in late summer or fall, but we’ll get to those in a bit.
In this section, I will walk you through the standard features of an oriole feeder and share some of the best options for each one! If you can answer the following questions, you’re ready for an oriole feeder.
- Can I keep up with filling these with jelly or fruit?
- Am I committed to keeping the feeders clean, especially in the hot summer season?
- Do I want to attract orioles by using an oriole feeder or by planting nectar-rich plants–or maybe both?
I’m breaking my nine favorite feeders into four categories: the best combination feeders, the best single-use feeders, the cutest feeders, and the most unique feeders.
Last update on 2024-04-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Best Combination Feeders
A combination feeder includes ways to offer an assortment of jellies, nectars, and/or fruits. People sometimes forget that birds are unique individuals, and what one oriole likes best won’t be another’s favorite.
When you offer several options, you appeal to many different oriole species and their preferences!
Heath Outdoor Products Clementine Oriole Feeder
- Feeds 2 orange halves, grape jelly, nectar or mealworms
- Durable UV-resistant powder-coated steel
- Simplistic design offers a clear view of orioles as they feed
Last update on 2024-04-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This cute little feeder is designed to remind you of an orange slice. It is made from sun-resistant powder-coated steel. The open-concept design means that orioles can’t hide behind the feeder.
I like that the removable dish is made from glass because it is much more durable than a plastic dish. You just need to be careful not to drop it while cleaning or refilling it. In addition to a glass dish for jelly or even mealworms (which orioles prefer in cooler months!), there are stakes that you can use to attach two orange halves.
Why I like this feeder
- It’s cute! I love the orange theme: orange metal, sliced orange shape, orange slices, and orange orioles!
- Some inexpensive oriole feeders don’t let you remove the dish for easy cleaning, but this one is fully removable.
Drawbacks of using this feeder
- There really aren’t any perches for the birds to land on while they eat. While some may be comfortable landing on the edges, others prefer a sturdier feeder.
FORUP Oriole Bird Feeder
- GOOD QUALITY: This bird feeder is made of high quality plastic and powder-coated metal construction, eco-friendly and great for...
- EASY TO CLEAN: Detached bowl design supports quick and easy hand-cleaning.
- COLORFUL DESIGN: Vivid colors would attract more birds, make your garden stand out. Open top hook allows for easy hanging.
Last update on 2024-04-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The basic design of this feeder places the orange halves facing each other, just above the central jelly bowl. The feeder is quite small, and the bowl only holds three ounces of jelly. A cute decorative heart dangles above the birds’ favorite food.
Why I like this feeder
- The stakes for the oranges angle upward, creating a nice approach for the orioles.
- The feeder is compact and can be hung just about anywhere.
- It features a sturdy perch designed for the orioles to land on when they eat.
Drawbacks of using this feeder
- While the jelly bowl is removable, it’s also plastic. Plastic bowls tend to lose their vivid color and durability over time. I’ve also seen them dry out and crack in the elements.
- Because it’s very small, you probably won’t have more than one oriole visitor at a time. Two orioles are unlikely to fit.
Solution4Patio Baltimore Oriole Feeder
- 🐤 ORIOLE'S FAVOURITE - Elaborately-made and beautifully orange color designed could hold Oriole two kinds of favorite food -...
- 🐤 WEATHER & SQUIRREL PROOF - Plastic guard to protect the food on the feeder from the sun and rain, and the biggest advantage...
- 🐤 EASY TO FILL AND CLEAN - 2-4 spoons of grape jam put into the thick plastic cups and then put orange halves on the stakes....
Last update on 2024-04-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Squirrels eat more than just birdseed. They will also go after fruit and other sweet treats. An oriole feeder with a baffle is a great solution!
Because this is a hanging feeder, the squirrel baffle covers the top of it like a dome. Two jelly jars and two stakes for sliced oranges are situated into the base, which is a round, orange circle.
Why I like this feeder
- I love a good squirrel baffle! This feature is so important if you live in an area with a large or particularly active squirrel population.
- There are plenty of places for the orioles to stand while they eat their jelly or orange slices.
- The whole thing can be broken down into its component parts, which certainly makes for easier cleaning.
Drawbacks of using this feeder
- The jars are quite deep, which may deter small orioles who can’t safely reach the jelly. If they don’t feel safe, they might abandon the feeder altogether.
Best Single-Use Oriole Feeders
The single-use oriole feeder style you’ll see most often is very similar to a hummingbird feeder. The most significant difference is that an oriole needs to have a place to perch, so nectar-based oriole feeders will include that feature.
You’ll also see some feeders that are strictly for jelly, and they don’t have an option to add oranges or nectar.
Perky-Pet Vine Oriole Feeder
- Three feeding ports with vine-style perches to accommodate multiple birds
- Soft, flower-shaped feeding ports inspired by nature
- Built-in ant moat and bee guards keep insects out
Last update on 2024-04-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This nectar-style feeder holds 27 ounces of nectar. It has three flower-shaped feeding ports to attract orioles, who typically get their sugar from colorful flowers.
It also includes a bee guard and an ant moat, which helps prevent one of the biggest frustrations accompanying nectar feeders: bugs!
Why I like this feeder
- Sure, you can buy sugar nectar–or you can make your own nectar for Oriole with sugar and water! That means that a nectar-only feeder is one of the most cost-effective ways to feed orioles.
- Twenty-seven ounces of nectar is plenty for a few days of actively visiting orioles! You may choose to fill it with less nectar if you have fewer birds visiting.
- Because it’s clear plastic, you can tell how much nectar remains at a glance.
Drawbacks of using this feeder
- As a single-purpose feeder, it doesn’t include any place to offer fruit halves or jelly. Many birders will probably choose to use this feeder with another if they want the best chance of attracting orioles.
- You may find that this attracts hummingbirds more effectively than orioles. You won’t find me complaining about hummingbirds, but many birders say that nectar alone isn’t a great strategy for oriole feeders.
Perky-Pet Wild Oriole Jelly Bird Feeder
- Attract Orioles - Orioles love grape jelly. This feeder helps attract orioles with one of their favorite sweet treats, as well as...
- Feed Multiple Birds - This jelly feeder features a large circular feeding tray with a wraparound perch so your orioles have plenty...
- Built-in Stirrer - This feeder features a built-in stirrer on the base which allows the perfect amount of jelly to be distributed...
Last update on 2024-04-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This Perky-Pet brand feeder serves jelly. And a lot of it!
Typically, a jelly feeder might hold a few ounces in a dish or cup. Instead, this feeder combines a base with a 32-ounce inverted jelly jar that you screw together and hang upside down. Gravity does the work for you, letting out just enough jelly to feed the birds.
Why I like this feeder
- You can use the jam jar that comes with it or screw just about any jelly jar right onto it! That sure makes the cleaning process a lot easier.
- It takes a long time for the jelly in the jar to go bad, even in the heat. The jelly is protected from the open air by the feeder’s construction.
Drawbacks of using this feeder
- It’s sticky! As the jelly dries, you’ll have to clean the base, as it gets sticky from bugs and the elements.
- Even though the jelly in the jar doesn’t spoil, the heat can still cause the jelly to melt and get runny. If that happens, you can end up with a flooded feeder and a mess on the ground.
The Cutest Oriole Feeders
If you’re like me, your bird feeders are about feeding the birds and creating an aesthetically pleasing garden. That’s why I’m drawn to cute and beautiful birding accessories. There are so many cute oriole feeders that it’s hard to list just a few!
Even so, here are the oriole feeders that I think are the cutest, prettiest, or most attractive!
FORUP Hanging Bird Feeder
- LONG-LASTING & DECORATIVE: This hanging bird feeder tray is made of heavy duty metal, power coated for maximum all-weather...
- EASY TO HANG: This bird feeders for outside measures approximately 9.4" D x 28.3" H (with hanging chain/hook), designed with a...
- EASY TO CLEAN: This metal bird feeder is easy to clean, just turn the bird feeder tray over, rinse it with water, wipe it with a...
Last update on 2024-04-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Look at those cute sunflowers! I just love the overall look of this oriole feeder. Its beautiful design also allows it to serve multiple purposes. You can put jelly in the dish and oranges on the stakes, or you can leave the stakes alone and let them serve as a perch. You could also put water in the bowl instead of jelly, providing a tiny little birdbath.
The little bell is a perk. It hangs from the bottom of the feeder and rings when a bird lands on it, so you get a little notification when a bird arrives.
Why I like this about this feeder
- It’s just so precious! It would look good hanging from any overhang, porch, feeder pole, or tree limb.
- An alternative design is available if you prefer hummingbirds to sunflowers.
Drawbacks of using this feeder
- It’s VERY small. Don’t expect to support a lot of orioles with this feeder.
- I wish it were sturdier. Unfortunately, the components are a little underwhelming in terms of durability.
Gardener’s Supply Company Oriole Jelly Feeder
- PRODUCT DETAILS: Gardeners Supply Co. Oriole Jelly Feeder This elegant hanging bird feeder attracts colorful and lovely songbirds...
- BEST USE FOR: Outdoor Garden and Patio Our colorful jelly feeder for Orioles is best to hang in outdoors or anywhere in the...
- HIGH-QUALITY BUILT: Designed By GSC Our Jelly Feeder for Colorful Orioles is weather resistant with a glass bowl container that...
Last update on 2024-04-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
What a precious little birdfeeder. This cute little flower-shaped glass feeder with steel flower petals is perfect for filling with jelly and placing in a tree near your window. It comes with a small perch. If you’re not looking for this feeder in your yard, you might miss it! But if you know where it is, it’s like a little hidden treasure of activity.
What I like about this feeder
- It’s a small, manageable feeder if you want to see what happens when you put out jelly for orioles.
- If you’re not using it for orioles, you could still fill it with birdseed.
- The angle of the feeder helps keep the rain from filling it.
Drawbacks of using this feeder
- Flashier colors are attractive to orioles. If this is your only oriole feeder, they might not notice it hidden among the trees.
- It’s quite attractive to other wildlife who want to enjoy a sweet treat. Secure it well, or a squirrel or raccoon might take off with it.
The Most Unique Oriole Feeders
Sometimes, you want something that’s different from everyone else! Hanging oriole feeders already makes you stand out from the crowd, but some are even more surprising or delightful because they’re just so unexpected.
JCs Wildlife Orange Oriole Window Jelly Bird Feeder
- Window Jelly Feeder Brings the Birds Up Close, Includes 1 Plastic Jelly Jar
- Bright Orange Attracts Orioles
- Made Out of 100% Recycled Poly Lumber Guaranteed Not to Crack, Split, or Fade
Last update on 2024-04-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This feeder is a simple jelly jar, but it comes with suction cups to attach it directly to your window. The jelly cup can be removed for easy cleaning and refilling.
The orange oriole feeder is made from recycled poly lumber, which won’t split, crack, or fade in color from the elements. The orange color is supposed to attract these beautiful birds. It’s a small feeder with a small commitment. Plus, when it’s right outside your kitchen window, you will quickly notice if the feeder is empty and needs to be refilled!
Why I like this feeder
- I love feeders and birding accessories that allow me to get close to my feathery friends without being a threat to them. This is a great way to see orioles up close.
- I appreciate the removable cup because it’s nice to leave the feeder in place once you’ve attached it via suction cup to the perfect spot.
Drawbacks of using this feeder
- If you’re moving around a lot inside your home, you may startle the orioles and lose your chance to see them up close.
- Sometimes, the screws that come with this feeder are too short to attach to the suction cups! If this happens to you, you will need to exchange it or replace the screws.
- Orioles are more likely to prefer a feeder placed at least seven feet high and near the trees. This may only attract the bravest orioles willing to go into areas that don’t feel as secure.
Kettle Moraine Recycled Single Oriole Orange Fruit Stick Feeder
- Bright Orange Recycled Plastic Construction
- Aluminum Perches
- Large Open Ended Hanging Hook
Last update on 2024-04-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Kettle Moraine feeder company makes incredibly sturdy, long-lasting plastic feeders from recycled materials. Their fresh fruit oriole feeder is no exception! This feeder has a unique look, and the perches are probably the strongest of all the feeders I’ve featured here!
Why I like this feeder
- The Kettle Moraine brand has a great reputation, and you know you’re buying something high quality when it has their name on it.
- The material is made from recycled milk jugs, so you can feel good about the environmental impact of these little feeders.
Drawbacks of using this feeder
- There are no jelly jars or nectar distributors with this feeder. You’ll need additional feeders if you want to have different foods available.
- This model doesn’t have a little roof on top of it like some Kettle Moraine products.
More Information About Choosing an Oriole Feeder
Now that we’ve looked at some of my favorite feeders, from the practical to the beautiful, let’s talk a bit more about orioles, oriole feeders, and what you should know to bring these colorful beauties to your yard.
What Kind of Feeder Works Best to Attract Orioles?
We featured nine feeders in this post–jelly feeders, nectar feeders, and fresh fruit feeders. Is one method better than the others?
All three strategies are known for successfully enticing orioles. There isn’t one best method, and most successful oriole birders find that offering a combination of options works well. That can mean one feeder that offers multiple food types or multiple feeders.
Orioles’ Preferred Colors
Just like hummingbirds are attracted to red flowers–and therefore red feeders–orioles are drawn to the color orange. You’ll notice that most feeders are orange or incorporate orange features.
Will Orioles Eat Birdseed?
Orioles will, from time to time, visit a traditional birdseed feeder. You probably won’t entice orioles to your yard with them, but the ones who visit for sweet foods may venture over to your other feeders from time to time to eat sunflower seeds and suet.
Where to Hang Your Feeder
Technically, you can hang an oriole feeder just about anywhere, and you might end up with some visiting birds. If you want to increase your chances of seeing orioles, you should hang the feeders based on oriole behaviors.
Orioles live in the treetops, so hanging a feeder near the treeline is a good way to help them feel safe. Most commonly, orioles live in elm trees, cottonwoods, and maples. If you have those trees in your yard, you may have more success attracting them.
They are less likely to visit a feeder placed in direct sunlight, as the dappled sunlight that comes through the trees provides good protection from predators.
You also don’t want to hide the feeder in the bushes or among thick trees. They need to be able to spot the feeder to enjoy it!
How High Off the Ground to Place Your Feeder
A good general rule for bird feeders is to place them at eye level, or around five feet. Orioles, however, prefer their feeders to be a bit higher. After all, they spend their days in the treetops, where they feel the safest.
The recommended height for an oriole feeder is at least seven feet above the ground.
If you can’t easily reach the feeder, be sure to get one that you can easily take down for refilling. I like to keep a small stepstool handy to reach things in my yard that are otherwise just out of reach; you might want to do the same if you place your feeder high enough to make it hospitable to orioles.
Keeping Bees Away from Oriole Feeders
Birdseed feeders don’t usually attract too many bees or bugs. Hummingbird feeders and oriole feeders, on the other hand, cause bee problems all the time. That’s because hummingbirds, orioles, and bees all need the same sugar-rich diet.
Bees will visit your oriole feeders regardless of whether you offer grape jelly, fresh oranges, or sugar water.
If there are only a few bees and you are not allergic, you may be able to ignore them. However, once bees discover a free source of tasty, sugary foods, they will likely appear in droves. Swarms, even!
Here are a few strategies to help you cope with the arrival of bees at your feeders:
- Use a saucer feeder with ports that prevent the bees from reaching the sugar water even though birds and hummingbirds can.
- Place a fake wasp’s nest near your feeders. The birds will ignore it, but bees, wasps, and hornets will think the area is already “claimed” and avoid getting into a territorial battle.
- I haven’t tried this, but many people swear by using cloves! You can sprinkle cloves around the outside of the jelly jar, and if that doesn’t work, soak cloves in vegetable oil overnight and then rub the mixture all over the feeder.
When to Feed Orioles Mealworms
We haven’t talked much about mealworms in this article yet! Mealworms can be a valuable addition to your oriole strategy.
In addition to jelly, sweet nectar, and ripe fruit, orioles eat insects. They like caterpillars, webworms, tent caterpillars, spongy moths, and spiders.
They also enjoy dried mealworms, which you can purchase in small bags at your local farm and garden store or in bulk online. Place the mealworms into any of the cups you usually put jelly in.
I like this option if you’re traveling and want to ensure your feeders are full, even though you’re not there to add more jelly every couple of days. A bunch of dried mealworms will keep your orioles happy without needing you to clean up immediately after they finish eating.
Mealworms can be offered all year long, but they are beneficial for young orioles who need to consume many calories daily to grow and be healthy.
My Favorite Feeder: Heath Outdoor Products Clementine Oriole Feeder
- Feeds 2 orange halves, grape jelly, nectar or mealworms
- Durable UV-resistant powder-coated steel
- Simplistic design offers a clear view of orioles as they feed
Last update on 2024-04-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Heath feeder, with its simple design and sturdy construction, is my favorite feeder I’ve shared with you in this post!
While it may not be the absolute prettiest (that prize goes to the cute little flower-shaped feeder), it has enough bright color that orioles should notice it, regardless of where you hang it. The glass jelly jar is easy to remove and clean, and I like that it has no plastic components.
I want to offer more than just one kind of food to the orioles, so this is a great option for anyone else who wants to try their hand with fresh fruit and grape jelly. I may add a nectar feeder nearby to increase my chances of coaxing beautiful orioles to my backyard!
If you notice that the orioles are skipping over the sliced oranges, I recommend cutting them at an angle. Orange slices positioned with an upward-slanting angle will be easier to access for most orioles.
Because it doesn’t have many perches for the colorful birds to land on, you could also go with the FORUP Oriole Bird Feeder for Outdoors.
Whatever method you decide to try, I hope you start to see these delightful birds at your feeders soon!