# Baltimore Oriole (*Icterus galbula*) The Baltimore Oriole is a beautiful bird with bright orange and black feathers. They love to eat fruits and nectar from flowers. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 105 - **Habitat:** Woodlands and gardens - **Also known as:** Golden Oriole, Northern Oriole ![Baltimore Oriole](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771424763/objects/4545.jpg) ## Appearance The Baltimore Oriole has striking bright orange plumage on its belly, shoulders, and tail, contrasting sharply with its black head, back, and wings. Males also feature a black bib and distinct white wing bars, making them easily identifiable among deciduous trees. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Passeriformes - **Family:** Icteridae - **Genus:** Icterus ## Interesting facts - Males sing a clear, flute-like song to attract mates and mark their territory. - Orioles can hang upside down like acrobats to snatch insects from leaves. - Their woven nests are so strong they can last through winter storms! - They were named for the bright orange and black colors of a Lord Baltimore's coat! ## Special abilities - **Weaving Wizard:** Baltimore Orioles can weave intricate, hanging pouch-like nests that help protect their eggs and young from predators. - **Caterpillar Conqueror:** Baltimore Orioles can eat hairy caterpillars, which many birds avoid, helping them find food others leave behind. - **Nectar Nibbler:** Baltimore Orioles can sip nectar from flowers and feeders using their pointed bills, giving them quick energy. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 17-22 cm - **Wingspan:** 23-30 cm - **Weight:** 0.03-0.04 kg - **Lifespan:** 4-12 years - **Speed:** 40 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 3-7 - **Incubation:** 11-14 days - **Migration Distance:** 4000 km ## Diet & Feeding Baltimore Orioles enjoy a tasty mix of insects, fruit, and flower nectar throughout the year. - **Primary Foods:** caterpillars, beetles, spiders, berries, oranges, nectar - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** Eastern Tent Caterpillar (*Malacosoma americanum*) — eats larvae - **Eats:** [Black Cherry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-cherry) (*Prunus serotina*) — eats ripe fruit - **Shelter:** [Sugar Maple](https://www.snappit.app/explore/sugar-maple) (*Acer saccharum*) — nests in branches - **Eaten by:** [Domestic Cat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/domestic-cat) (*Felis catus*) — preys on young ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Omnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/omnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter. - [Singing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/singing): Singing animals produce complex vocalizations, often for purposes of attracting mates, defending territory, or communicating within their species. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Migratory](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/migratory): Migratory animals undertake seasonal movements from one region to another, typically in response to changes in climate or food availability. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Baltimore Orioles are friendly and not dangerous. Just enjoy watching them from a distance! ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Baltimore Oriole? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Baltimore Oriole? 17-22 cm ### What is Baltimore Oriole's wingspan? 23-30 cm ### How much does Baltimore Oriole weigh? 0.03-0.04 kg ### How long does Baltimore Oriole live? 4-12 years ### How fast can Baltimore Oriole move? 40 km/h ### What does Baltimore Oriole eat? Baltimore Orioles enjoy a tasty mix of insects, fruit, and flower nectar throughout the year. ### Where is Baltimore Oriole usually found? Woodlands and gardens ## Where to spot - [Ambler Heights Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/ambler-heights-historic-district) — Ohio, US · Historic District - [Arnold Arboretum](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/arnold-arboretum) — Massachusetts, US · Botanical Garden - [Bean Hill Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bean-hill-historic-district) — Connecticut, US · Historic District - [Black Hawk State Historic Site](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/black-hawk-state-historic-site) — Illinois, US · Park - [Brandon Road Lock and Dam](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/brandon-road-lock-and-dam) — Illinois, US · Historic Site - [Brett Woods Open Space](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/brett-woods-open-space) — Connecticut, US · Park [View all places to see Baltimore Oriole](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/baltimore-oriole) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Baltimore Oriole: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/baltimore-oriole)