Description: About 8 1/2 inches long, the
male has a black head and back with an orange body. The female has an olive
yellow rump and is yellow below with a mottled head and back. She lays 4
- 6 blushes white eggs with dark marks. They hatch in 12 - 14 days and the
young leave the nest in about two weeks.
Habitat: Orioles live in broad
leafed trees near parks, gardens and open areas. They build a hanging nest
of plant material.
Foods: They are insects, fruit
and the nectar of flowers. They enjoy oranges and sugar water when available.
Facts: Baltimore Oriole is also known
as the Northern Oriole: The brilliant male is a showy bird. The female is
olive in color. Dull orange yellow below, with two pale wing bars; she selects
a tall shade tree fro her hanging nest. Western males have orange on the
sides of the head and over the eyes. The Orchard Oriole (6 in)), east of
the Rockies, is similar, but is brick red, not orange; the female Orchard
Oriole is greenish yellow. Young orioles are similar to females. Other orioles
are in the Southwest.
Did you know?: The baltimore oriole
was named after Lord Baltimore of the 17th century, who's coat of arms displayed
the same colors.
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