Fun Oriole Bird Facts For Kids

There are about 30 species of oriole birds that belong to the Old World genus Oriolus, from the family Oriolidae. The New World orioles belong to the genus Icterus, from the family Icteridae, and also exist in about 30 species.

Both the Old World and New World orioles are colorful, perching birds that tend to feed in the canopy. orioles are mostly found in North America, South America, and Canada. However, there are Australian, and Eurasian oriole birds too that are found in various European and Asian countries.

Oriole birds get their name from their bold yellow plumage. Most oriole males are orange and black or yellow and black with some white plumage.

The New World orioles are part of the American blackbird family. The most common oriole North American birds are Baltimore orioles, bullock’s orioles, orchard oriole, Scott's oriole, and the spot-breasted oriole that live in central Florida. The four oriole species that are found in South America are Altamira oriole, hooded oriole, Audubon's oriole, and the streak-backed oriole.

Among the North American birds, the Baltimore orioles are most commonly seen in the backyards feeding on caterpillars, insects, nectar, and fruits. People use uniquely designed oriole bird feeders designed to accommodate foods that orioles prefer. Grape jelly is a preferred food of Baltimore orioles.

Included in this article is information regarding Baltimore oriole bird feeder, oriole and backyard feed, oriole nests on trees, facts about Northern oriole, Baltimore oriole, bullock's oriole, and so on.

You may also check out the fact files on wood thrushes and cockatoos from Kidadl.

Oriole Bird Interesting Facts

What type of animal is an oriole?

New World orioles are species of North American birds occupying particular ranges. They are omnivorous unlike their Australian fruit-eating cousins and feed high in trees.

They search for insects, flowers, fruits, and also sip nectar from bird feeders in people’s backyards. The bright color male orioles are easy to spot but the paler bird oriole females can be recognized from their short songs. The male orioles sometimes make a distinct wink or chatter call.

The two most common orioles, the Baltimore orioles, and the Bullock’s orioles sometimes get hybridized due to their overlapping ranges in the Great Plains. Earlier these two species were thought to be one and were called Northern oriole.

After genetic studies conducted in the 1990s, the Northern orioles were given two separate species statuses. Baltimore orioles sing songs to establish their breeding territories. These birds are relatively silent in winter.

What class of animal does an oriole bird belong to?

All species of orioles are birds. The new world orioles from the icterids blackbird family got their name ‘oriole’ from the American settlers. It was due to their bold yellow or orange and black patterns that were similar to the true orioles or the Old World oriole birds of Europe.

Baltimore oriole birds, the most well-known species of oriole in North America, and they breed east of the Rockies. These birds have black and golden orange plumage with some white feathers on their wings.

The Bullock’s orioles inhabit the deciduous forests of western North America. The orchard orioles migrate from eastern North America during the winter months to Mexico and are black and chestnut in color.

The epaulet orioles are tropical birds living in lowland rainforests. The Venezuelan Troupial from the icterus family is an oriole which is also the national bird of Venezuela. These birds are found in woodlands, dry scrublands, savannahs, dry plains.

How many oriole birds are there in the world?

Data from North American Breeding Bird Survey showed the Baltimore oriole population from 2005 to 2014 was estimated at 12,000,000 individuals in the USA and Canada.

Where does an oriole bird live?

Some orioles living in cold areas migrate to warmer parts in their range during the winter months. The migrating orioles fly south in late summers to early fall and remain in the Southeast USA, and Central and South America till April. These birds prefer deciduous woodland habitats. Baltimore orioles are also seen in parks and suburban backyards.

What is an oriole bird's habitat?

Baltimore orioles live in high leafy deciduous trees. They prefer open forests, scattered trees along rivers, orchards, woodland edges, and do not live in deep forests. In urban habitats, they may be found in community parks and backyards with tall trees.

They build nests in trees like maples, American elm, and cottonwoods. They forage on treetops, turning leaves to find insects, caterpillars, fruits, and flowers for nectar.

Eggs and young birds often fall prey to large birds, squirrels, and cats. Adult Baltimore orioles protect and fight predators by mobbing and singing alarm calls.

Who do oriole birds live with?

Other than the mating season, orioles are social birds and forage in flocks. They also migrate in flocks to the tropics when it’s cold in the north. During the breeding season, Baltimore orioles lead a solitary life in pairs. This species of bird is usually monogamous, but may not mate for life.

How long does an oriole bird live?

In the wild habitat, a Baltimore oriole’s lifespan is up to 11.5 years. In captivity, these birds can live up to fourteen years.

How do they reproduce?

In the breeding season, male Baltimore males attract females with visual displays and songs. Interested females respond by fluttering wings and responding to his songs. The female bird then joins the male and builds a nest in the male’s territory. The nest-building season for Baltimore orioles and Bullock’s orioles usually start in May.

A Baltimore oriole’s nest has an interesting sock shape. They build hanging nests from thin but sturdy tree branches. Their nests are woven with thin, intertwined fibers from different materials. It is rather like a delicate cradle where the female lays up to seven eggs.

Most of the pouch-like oriole nests of Baltimore orioles are found in the canopy of a deciduous tree. Some oriole species build cup-shaped nests in low shrubs in the Great Plains to protect them from the wind.

After the young birds hatch, both parents look after them. The young nestlings are fed by the parents for a couple of weeks until they are ready to fly and leave the nest.

What is their conservation status?

North American orioles have a stable population and their conservation status is of Least Concern according to the IUCN.

Oriole Bird Fun Facts

What do oriole birds look like?

There are almost thirty species of orioles in America but all of them have one thing in common, it’s their orange black, or orange-yellow plumage. The males are brighter than the females. The male birds have a black head and beak.

Their wings are black with white bars running across. Females and young male birds have a less striking appearance with a combination of paler yellowish-orange and dark gray-brown plumage. These birds have long legs and sharp beaks that help them to pick insects and suck nectar from flowers.

How cute are they?

Orioles are agile and attractive birds that can be invited to the backyard with specially constructed oriole bird feeders. They are wild birds and are enjoyable to watch.

How do they communicate?

Baltimore orioles have a song that sounds like whistling. Baltimore oriole songs can be heard in the springtime in parks and backyards. During aggressive territorial fights or driving away an intruder, Baltimore orioles give a staccato chatter.

How big is an oriole bird?

Common ravens are the largest blackbirds. Compared to them, orioles are almost four times smaller growing to an average length of 6.7-7.5 in (17-19 cm).

How fast can an oriole bird fly?

The flying speed of orioles has not been recorded.

How much does an oriole bird weigh?

orioles weigh in the range of 0.06–0.08 lb (30-40 g).

What are the male and female names of the species?

Male and female orioles do not have any special names.

What would you call a baby oriole bird?

A baby oriole is called a nestling or a chick.

What do they eat?

Some oriel species are omnivores whereas some are strictly herbivores. Baltimore orioles eat insects in summer and switch to nectar and fruit during the fall season. Baltimore orioles eat caterpillar larvae from trees saving them from damage. Some farmers consider these birds as pests as they also eat fruits.

Are they dangerous?

No, orioles are not dangerous at all. The Baltimore orioles do not kill hummingbirds.

Would they make a good pet?

No, orioles are wild birds and do not make good pets. You can put bird feeders in your gardens. If they suddenly disappear, it could be because they are migrating or hunting insects for additional protein.

Did you know...

The Baltimore Orioles were named so because their orange and black plumage shows the same colors as England's Baltimore family crest. Baltimore city, the largest in the state of Maryland, got its name from the colonial barony of Baltimore.

In 1947, the Baltimore oriole Icterus galbula was given the official status of the state bird of Maryland.

Different types of oriole bird

There are different oriole species found in the USA. Baltimore oriole is found in the Midwestern and Eastern states of the US. The Bullock’s oriole looks quite similar to the Baltimore orioles. Other than them, there are orchard orioles, hooded oriole, Scott’s oriole, Altamira oriole, golden oriole, and Audubon’s oriole.

The symbolism of the oriole bird

If you see an oriole in your dreams with the sun shining at the back, it means good luck and happiness. If an oriole sits on you, that means initiation or starting something new.

Oriole dreams mean fading difficulties, gain, and recognition coming your way.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other birds from our black-capped gnatcatcher facts and red bird-of-paradise facts pages.

You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable Oriole Bird coloring pages.