Fruit is a favorite food of many birds. In fact, some birds are classified as “frugivorous,” meaning that fruit makes up the majority of their diet. However, you’re probably curious, what birds eat oranges?
Well, there is a long list of orange-eaters, but some famous ones are the Orioles, Thrashers, Blue Jays, and Northern Cardinals.
In this article, we will explore a wide variety of feathered guests that you can attract by adding oranges to your backyard feeder.
Table of Contents
Kind of Birds That Eat Oranges
Oranges offer birds a good source of vitamins A, B, and C, minerals, and proteins. It is safe, nutritious, and undeniably delicious for most birds. Herewith is the list of 7 kind of birds that eat oranges.
#1 Baltimore Orioles
Coincidentally, these orange plumage birds also have a taste for oranges! In fact, they are known to be the most popular orange-eaters and the show-stealers in the backyard.
Even though Baltimore Orioles can be very elusive, you can anticipate their visits from April to October especially when you are residing in the United States.
Other Oriole species, like orchard, bullock, and hooded, also eat oranges all year long in addition to Baltimore. Overall, these birds eat oranges and grape jelly which are rich in vitamins.
#2 Brown Thrashers
Brown Thrashers eat oranges but they are typically difficult to attract to your garden since they prefer to hide in overgrown fields and woodland.
One way you can lure them into your backyard is to hang oranges for birds at an accessible location away from the potential harm of predators like cats if you are truly interested in seeing these feathered companions.
#3: Blue Jays
Belonging to the family of Corvidae, Blue Jays love eating oranges, especially during winter when food sources are scarce.
However, you can still see them even though it is not in winter. Try peeling a good amount of oranges and put the slices in the feeder and viola! You just enticed them with their favorite food – oranges.
#4 Northern Cardinals
In Ohio, Cardinals are recognized to be their state bird. These flamboyant Northern Cardinals majority feed on seeds and insects. But when there is a grace of fruit, they would also occasionally consume it.
These birds have the love language of touch, so if you want to get close to them, try feeding them orange slices in your palms!
#5 Mockingbirds
Mockingbirds, in particular Northern Mockingbirds, include fruits like oranges in their diet, especially during the winter season.
You might be surprised, but these mimickers also eat apples, grapes, raisins, and cherries!
#6: American Crows
Crows are known to scavenge garbage and dead animals. However, did you know that you can attract these black birds using the color and smell of oranges?
Crows, as opposed to smaller birds, may quickly snag an entire orange fruit. To prevent this from happening, put the orange in a mesh bag or hang it from a fishing gear so that they may consume it easily.
#7 American Robins
In Michigan, the American robin ((Turdus migratorius) is named to be the state bird. For these lovely birds, eating fruits is an essential part of surviving the winter.
Robins are into oranges and even raisins. You can feed them all year round as they are non-migratory birds.
Other than that, you can add to the list some birds that love oranges. It’s a surprise to many that they can attract the following birds with a slice of orange:
- European Starling – A beautiful black bird that feeds on berries, seeds, insects, and, indeed, oranges.
- Wood Thrush – This songbird also loves oranges, besides its main diet, which includes berries, beetles, caterpillars, and berries.
- Cedar Waxwing – This songbird is known for its beautiful voice and fruit diet. It loves all kinds of food, from persimmons to bananas, grapes, apples, oranges, and berries. Now, you know what to do if you want them to visit your backyard.
Not All Birds Are Fans of Oranges!
It is important to note that even with how good your oranges are, there are still some birds that will not be attracted to your food offerings.
One great example is the hummingbirds. These feathered friends stay true to their love of nectars so orange juice would not be a good contender.
FAQ
What is the best kind of orange to feed on birds?
In reality, the type of oranges does not matter as they all contain vitamins and fiber. But for your reference, it is safe to feed birds with smaller kinds such as mandarin oranges whether it’s tangerine or clementine.
Additionally, you can substitute orange suet cakes for your bird feeder, particularly during the winter when birds require an additional energy source.
How to feed birds with oranges?
Offering birds oranges can be one of the easiest ways you can attract them in the backyard. To prepare the oranges, you may cut them in sections or half, unpeeled.
The majority of the birds do not eat orange peels because it is too bitter or too tough to eat. Generally, they are not toxic, but if you are concerned about pesticides in the peels, you can choose to peel them instead.
How to choose the best orange bird feeders?
If you have a tree around your house, you can just put half of the orange in one of its branches or by using a nail. However, it is still ideal to use bird feeders in consideration of convenience and safety.
You can buy from your nearest market a Suet feeder which is an effective way to attract smaller birds. On the other hand, the oranges for orioles feeder is also a good option when you are looking for spikes for oranges that come with a cup.
Are oranges good for birds?
Yes! You can never go wrong with oranges. It is good for their health and delicious to their taste.
Feeding oranges to birds will likely improve their digestion, fertility, and overall health. Just be careful not to give them too much because that can lead to diarrhea.
Do birds eat oranges from trees?
Definitely! Birds can devour an orange hanging from a tree since it is unnecessary for them to peel off the skin.
What birds eat oranges in the winter?
In winter, you can expect birds such as the woodpeckers, bluebirds, and mockingbirds to be around your bird feeder orange.
If you intend to feed birds during this season, make sure to place the orange in a sunny area as it can freeze easily when left outside.
Furthermore, birds who consume oranges in the winter may shift to eating seeds or insects in the summer.
Can baby birds eat oranges?
Yes. Orange is a fruit that is typically consumed by birds. For the baby birds, they can enjoy eating this when their body has developed to tolerate fruits. It is advisable to peel the skin and remove the seeds when feeding baby birds.
Do all birds eat oranges?
Even though many birds enjoy eating oranges, not all of them do. To exhibit, hummingbirds are attracted to nectar rather than oranges.
In addition, what birds eat can depend on the seasons. For example, during spring and summer, most birds will prefer to eat insects. But when the winter falls, non-migratory birds will have to eat more fruits and seeds.
Conclusion
Many birds like oranges. But now that you know what birds eat oranges, you can now share with your friends the names of seven common birds you can attract with this fruit.
If you love bird watching, you might consider adding oranges to your feeders to meet a variety of visitors such as the thrashes, robins, cardinals, and many more. They are not just good for the taste but also good for their body!
Should you want to learn more about fruit-eating birds, don’t hesitate to share your thoughts and recommendations with us!
George and I became friends after a birdwatching trip with our new group. And we have been enjoying every adventure together. When he told me the idea of establishing a site that shares our experiences and fun, I immediately agreed. After trials and errors, here we have Thayerbirding.
