Uninvited Guests: Orioles and Other Birds
There are other birds, like orioles, that love nectar just as much as hummingbirds. Orioles are notorious hummingbird feeder raiders. Finches have also been known to sit at a hummingbird feeder as well. We have attributed the finch activity to just being curious and they seem to have no interest in the nectar.
The hummingbirds and orioles don't seem to bother each other and coexist quite nicely. Usually, if there is only one feeder, the hummingbirds will leave until the oriole is done and then come right back. Although we have had one or two that are brave enough to be near such a big bird. They tend to stay on the other side of the feeders and try to look small.
We do have one oriole that comes around every spring just before the hummingbirds arrive. He is very timid and will wait until he thinks no one is looking before landing on the hummingbird feeder. He will place one foot on the hummingbird perch and one foot on the top of the large flower of our smaller feeder and will then promptly pull off a bee guard and help himself. He is so skillful at his job, we let him have a good long drink and just put the bee guard
back on when he is done. It is a very small chore to see such a beautiful bird in action.
If orioles or other birds at a hummingbird feeder are bothersome, there is really only one thing that can be done. Get the orioles their own feeder. An oriole feeder that holds nectar works almost exactly the same way as a hummingbird feeder does. The recipe for the nectar is exactly the same. An oriole feeder is usually orange instead of red and the flowers for the nectar have larger openings to accommodate an oriole's beak. Since orioles don't eat birdseed like other birds, many oriole feeders also have a place to put a piece of fruit and/or cups for jelly and live mealworm for the oriole to eat.
There are several very nice oriole feeders out there. Here are some that we would recommend (click on an image for current pricing).
You can also make an oriole feeder by being creative and adding a few attachments to a homemade hummingbird feeder. Be imaginative and send us a picture of your homemade feeder.
