5 replies to this topic

[Freebird]

I've returned home after a trip to the wonderful discovery that a pair of Baltimore Orioles are raising their young in my back garden (joy oh joy, for the past three years they've flitted through the tree tops but only come down for a drink at the bird bath). I have beautiful photos of Dad to share when this forum allows me to post photos again.

My dilemma is that I would normally put nectar out for the hummers around now, and I am happy not to if it means attracting them too close to the Orioles (I have mature honeysuckle for them if they come naturally). Am I thinking about this in the right way, or being overly cautious now I am going to be an Oriole grandparent?!

Is there anything else I should think about? I dont want to put out food if it attracts any other birds to their private site and I'll chase the cats away until they've fledged safely. I suspect this is a ridiculous question but nonetheless, I need to ask it!
Thanks
FB

[dklucius]

i get the bullocks orioles here and they nest in the thickets of Gamble Oak brush. they take turns coming when nesting the male first and then the female and come 3 or 4 times a day to eat. I have both red hummingbird feeders and the orange oriole feeders plus several jelly feeders. this year there are 4 pairs of the bullocks and the males have their pecking order. with the dominent ones eating first. but they share the feeders with the tanagers and grosbeaks without fighting. and the hummers fly around looking for an opening at the same time. towards the end of may they all fledge their young and then the females and young ones of all breeds coming flooding in and share the feeders. i fill the jelly dishes several times a day and the necter even oftener..

[dklucius]

here is a photo from last summer

[cwj2323]

dklucius,

I am glad you answered this. I had looked at it earlier but didn't have any experience with both birds at the same time. I was assuming both would have been fine together. This is our first year getting hummingbirds to come to a feeder, but we're still waiting for the orioles. They ate oranges last year, never touching the oriole feeder we put out.

You get some beautiful birds!

[dklucius]

here is a mix of young and adults sharing the feedrs last summer

[Freebird]

I am also glad you answered. Thank you. I waited for years to own my own home and have hummingbirds come into my life and now I am truly lucky to have such a problem like this!

I have seen Orioles for three years passing by, coming down on occasion but never stopping for long, so I am thrilled they are here. I knew they were diving in to eat the jelly last year but never when I could see! Now, I have this beautiful male coming in and out with the female every 10 mins or so, they are stunning and working so hard

Love the photos, very cool to see the tanagers as well, never seen a real one.... the Scarlet is one of my thus called "nemesis birds" though!.
FB