Colorado · Orioles · Mountain West
When to put out oriole feeders in Colorado
Put feeders out by April 15. First arrivals typically show up late April to early May — and orioles pick their summer yards fast.
Put feeders out by
April 15
First arrivals
late April to early May
Peak season
May through August
Take down after
late September
Feeders up from April 15 until late september.
The Colorado oriole season
Bullock's Orioles own the cottonwood galleries of the Front Range and Western Slope, arriving in force the first week of May. Out on the southeastern plains, Orchard Orioles join them, and the occasional Baltimore drifts along the Platte — eastern Colorado sits right on the great oriole dividing line.
Two oriole quirks are worth planning around. First, arrival day matters more than with any other feeder bird — orioles choose territories within days of landing, so a feeder that's already stocked can anchor a pair all summer. Second, the season ends early: oriole migration starts in mid-summer, not fall, so don't mistake the August quiet for a mistake on your part.
Oriole species in Colorado
| Species | Status in Colorado |
|---|---|
| Bullock's Oriole | Spring–summer breeder |
| Orchard Oriole | Spring–summer breeder |
| Baltimore Oriole | Passes through in migration |
The oriole menu: grape jelly, orange halves, and 6:1 nectar — a weaker mix than hummingbirds get.
Feeding guide Nectar calculatorFrequently asked questions
When should I put out oriole feeders in Colorado?
Have jelly, orange halves, and nectar out by April 15 — about two weeks before the first birds typically arrive (late April to early May). Orioles decide on a yard within days of arriving; a feeder that's already waiting often earns a resident pair for the season.
When do orioles leave Colorado?
Earlier than most people expect — early September. Orchard Orioles start south as early as July, and adult males of every species leave ahead of the young. Keep feeders up until late september for the stragglers, and remember: a feeder never delays migration, which is triggered by day length.
Why did my orioles stop coming to the jelly in June?
They didn't leave — they changed jobs. While raising nestlings, orioles switch almost entirely to insects for protein and largely ignore jelly and nectar. Keep a modest amount available, and expect a noisy second rush in July when the fledged families return to sweet foods before migration.
What should I feed orioles?
Three things work: grape jelly in a small open dish (a spoonful at a time — it should be a treat, not a meal), fresh orange halves on a spike or rail, and sugar-water nectar mixed 6 parts water to 1 part plain white sugar — weaker than hummingbird mix. Skip anything dyed, and pull jelly in high heat when it gets sticky enough to foul feathers.
Nearby states
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