Tag Archives: Orchard Oriole

Songbirds

Orchard Oriole Parents

4 Comments

In the three weeks since I photographed an Orchard Oriole working on her nest I’ve passed by the tree several times and seen no activity. On Sunday a male was sitting on branches about 30 feet from the nest.

Male Orchard Oriole with Grasshopper
Male Orchard Oriole with Grasshopper

After carefully watching the area he zipped into the nest with the grasshopper. You can just see one wing and a tail hanging out the entrance.

Male Orchard Oriole Going into Nest
Male Orchard Oriole Going into Nest

The nest was swinging back and forth in a light breeze and the male made a quick exit.

Orchard Oriole Nest
Orchard Oriole Nest

My question, was the male feeding his mate while she sat on eggs or chicks, was soon answered when the female appeared with another grasshopper.

Female Orchard Oriole with Grasshopper
Female Orchard Oriole with Grasshopper

The female was coming in at a different angle and had to pause to get into the nest.

Female Orchard Oriole with Grasshopper
Female Orchard Oriole with Grasshopper

After delivering the snack she came out with a fecal sac and disappeared into the woods.

Female Orchard Oriole Removing Fecal Sac
Female Orchard Oriole Removing Fecal Sac
Songbirds

Orchard Oriole

17 Comments

It took me about five of her trips to catch this female Orchard Oriole pausing outside her nest. I had first seen her dart up to the branch and then poof, she was gone. I watched this clump of Spanish Moss for awhile and saw it moving like someone was in it and finally saw a head peak out. The opening of the nest faces the limb with leaves.

Orchard Oriole
Female Orchard Oriole bringing grass to the nest

Fortunately for me she was a creature of habit and flew the same pattern from the nest to a swampy area to gather grass and back, singing both ways alerting me to be ready.

Orchard Oriole
Female Orchard Oriole

On one of her trips she stopped for a look around before continuting on her way.

Orchard Oriole
Female Orchard Oriole