Yay, Baltimore Orioles are returning to Massachusetts! Do you want to know an interesting fun fact about this brilliant orange bird? Orioles are in the blackbird family, along with Red-winged Blackbirds, grackles, Brown-headed Cowbirds and meadowlarks!

Here is another oriole fun fact: of the eight species of orioles we see here in the Americas, only two breed in Massachusetts - the Baltimore Oriole and the Orchard Oriole. Unlike the bright orange Baltimore Oriole, the Orchard Oriole is a more deeply-colored, russet orange. Still gorgeous, just not as flashy.

I took this photo of an oriole visiting one of my 3 in 1 oriole feeders, which we sell at the store. Notice the bird is drinking nectar from one of the feeders four nectar ports. The feeder also holds grape jelly and an orange half – some of orioles’ favorite foods!

Orioles are also attracted to nectar producing flowers such as apple and crabapple blossoms. If you grow raspberries or mulberries (especially mulberries) orioles will probably love your yard.