The flutelike song of bright-orange orioles can bring smiles to any gardener. If you live in the eastern part of the continent, you'll see Baltimore orioles; in the western part, look for Bullock's orioles.
- Orioles make fascinating socklike nests woven from plant fibers, cloth, string, and hair, and lined with grasses. Attract orioles to nest by putting out short (less than 6-inch) pieces of yarn, hair, horsehair, or string.
- Orioles like to nest in shade trees near open areas. Good habitat plants include blueberries, wild cherries, mulberries, serviceberries, plums, hawthorns, and elderberries.
- Caterpillars make up one-third of an oriole's diet. Other foods include aphids, ants, borers, moths, beetles, and scale insects. They also eat berries, wild fruits, and garden peas. Attract orioles with oranges or apples cut in half, or nectar feeders with perches.