orioleA Dream of a Weaver

Many of us dream of having an oriole take up residence in our yard or neighborhood. To behold a brilliant-colored male, serenading us with its uplifting whistle, is truly a cause for celebration!

Out of nine possible U.S. species, the Bullock’s and Baltimore are the most common. These orioles construct one of the most amazing and complicated nests of any North American bird. Looking like a small gourd-shaped pouch hanging from the tip of a thin branch, these nests are skillfully woven out of hundreds of single fibers … one at a time.

The female oriole is the primary engineer and fabricator, but males occasionally plays the role of foreman, supplying materials and conducting inspections while the nest is under construction.

While nests are typically woven out of plant fibers such as strips of milkweed stem, man-made items, such as string and yarn, are readily used in their place. Horses also provide nesting materials in the form of hair from their tail and mane. In fact, many oriole nests collected in the early 20th century, when horses were a major means of transportation, were exclusively made of horsehair.

If your dream is to have one of these brilliant and artistic birds as a resident in your yard, our Certified Bird Feeding Specialists can show you the oriole nectar, mealworm and fruit feeders that might just make your dream become reality.