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Feeding behaviour of Orioles? (1 Viewer)

Rouge

Member
Canada
We are long time supporters of humming birds but it is only this season that we have purposely attracted Orioles. After seeing some on our hummer feeders earlier in May we then put out grape jelly and orange slices on a regular basis.

All was good for many weeks but then unexpectedly last week they seemed to vanish for a good 3 to 4 days but now they have reappeared. For those of you having experience with these birds do you know why they can go AWOL for a time?

As well I had read that they love mealworms. And yet any time I put them out as an option it never gets eaten. What am I missing?
 
I found that the closer summer gets the less they come to the oranges I left for them, it's probably because more bugs are out so they prefer that.
 
it's probably because more bugs are out so they prefer that.

But that's part of my question ie I have offered up mealworms in the feeder and they have never, at least thus far, ever eaten them.
 
Could just be that they found a better place to feed, or maybe they don't like your mealworms, try buying them from somewhere else and see if that makes a difference. I've never fed them mealworms, only oranges, in spring they would come several times a day when I put out an orange but in summer only once in a while.
 
The pair of them are now back regularly mostly eating the grape jelly and maybe a peck or two at the orange slice. I'm not going to buy another bag of mealworms and then be stuck with 2 bags (maybe I'll need to get me a chicken to eat them ;))
 
Never tried meal worms only oranges & grape jelly. They were coming quite a bit until just lately. Sure do miss seeing them because I love their orange color. Hopefully they'll be back eventually.
 

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