Baltimore Orioles are so attractive with blazing orange plumage, tiny bodies, and active behavior; the Baltimore oriole is always mesmerizing.
What’s more...
The Baltimore Oriole will spend most of its summer in the Eastern part of North America, but they overwinter in Central America. And the easiest way to spot one is by looking for the bright-colored males with brighter plumage than the females.
In this oriole feeder review, we give you a rundown on some of the best oriole feeders that will improve your prospects of attracting and feeding these distinctive-looking birds. Check out my top favorite oriole bird feeder, the Kettle Moraine, and find out why!
Let’s dive in!
Top 6 Best Oriole Feeders Reviewed
1. Kettle Moraine Oriole Feeder - Best Overall
This is undoubtedly one of the best oriole feeders out there. What we love about this tiny backyard bird feeder is its nifty and creative take. It looks like a miniaturized gazebo with a bright orange color to boot.
It has lots of open bases for your orange-plumed little guests. Beyond the aesthetics, it is also a functionally proficient oriole feeder that will attract orioles and give them the best dining experience ever right in your backyard.
The Kettle Moraine Oriole Feeder has a 14-inch galvanized steel roof and a 12-inch base fashioned from recycled plastic.
The design is quite versatile. The bowl has a good depth and you can use it to feed your orioles across seasons with different kinds of oriole foods including jellies and mealworms.
The design of the depths takes into account the ergonomics to help maximize the feeding sessions.
This oriole feeder has a relatively large size so you can use it to lure in a large number of birds simultaneously which can make for a melodious backyard feeding frenzy.
We also love its versatility. If you like giving your birds some variety, you will love the fact that the Kettle Moraine Oriole Feeder can accommodate a number of delicious treats at the same time while still maintaining its stability for an uninterrupted feeding setup.
The versatility of the Kettle Moraine feeder frees you from having to buy different kinds of oriole feeders for the varied oriole treats. The large size means you don’t have to take it down and top it often.
Its galvanized roof isn’t just a cool aesthetic feature. It also serves the function of protecting the oriole’s lunch from the elements and corrosion, so you won’t have to improvise a shade to protect the treats.
This oriole feeder ships with two removable glass bowls where you can arrange the oriole treats. It is also designed with two aluminum fruit stakes where you can attach orange halves. Orioles love oranges, so an oriole feeder that includes such fruit attachments is definitely a thoughtfully-designed feeder.
Finally, this also gives you relative ease of oriole feeder placement. It has a hook that you can use to hang it easily mid-air, ready for your orange-feathered friends to imbibe on your fresh treats.
Pros
- Feed lots of orioles simultaneously
- Versatile enough to hold diverse treats
- Sturdy setup for comfortable feeding
- Easily detachable pieces
Cons
- Too many bolts and screws
- Bright orange color fades easily
Takeaway
It’s not for nothing that the Kettle Moraine Oriole Feeder remains one of the most recommended oriole feeders. It’s a versatile oriole feeder that you can use with all kinds of treats.
Not many feeders give you that. Its bright orange color easily attracts orioles and the galvanized steel roof protects the contents in the feeder.
2. Birds Choice 1009 Oriole-Fest – Best Jelly Feeder
Orioles love jelly. It brings out the element in them. There is no better way to way to experience an ‘oriole-fest’ than with this excellent oriole jelly feeder.
The Bird’s Choice 1009 Oriole-Fest Oriole Feeder is perfect if you want to attract orioles and other birds simultaneously to imbibe the delicious jelly. With its strong orange color, it creates an attractive and photogenic backdrop for feeding your orange-plumed friends.
This oriole feeder is versatile enough to enable you to pack in generous portions of oriole delicacies, including jelly, nectar, and oranges.
It is designed with a flat orange base, four jelly cups, and four feeding ports.
It also has two suction cups and a spike-hanging rod that gives the orioles plenty of room for movement when feeding.
This oriole feeder allows you to not only slot in seeds and nectar but also cut apples and oranges, giving the birds a colorful variety of healthy and delicious treats.
This oriole jelly feeder isn’t just versatile and pretty; it is also very affordable.
Pros
- Versatile all-in-one feeder
- Four feeding ports
- Has a spiked rod to skewer the orange halves
- Affordably priced
- Built-in ant guards
- Easy to fill and clean
- UV stable
Cons
- Open-wide design may attract insects
Takeaway
Bird’s Choice 1009 offers a good deal of versatility and is designed with a compartment for every treat to satisfy the cravings of those colorful chirpy guests. You can comfortably use this with numerous treats ranging from seed and jelly to oranges.
3. First Nature 3088 – Best Oriole Feeder For Nectar
First Nature 3088 may not give you the versatility you need when you want to feed your orioles’ different cravings, but it is the best oriole feeder for nectar feeding.
It is a multi-colored feeder with an orange base and a transparent wide-mouthed reservoir where you can pour in the nectar. The design guarantees that there will no spillage even as the birds perch and jump around it.
It is made from a smooth plastic material that is easy to clean. You can also refill it easily with fresh concentrate.
The base features a perch that the orioles can comfortably sit on as they feed on the ten ports on First Nature 3088.
Its bright orange color will attract the orioles. The design is also watertight, so the nectar doesn’t leak out to attract flies, bees, and ants. You can be sure that only the invited guests will be sipping on the nectar uninterrupted.
You can easily twist apart its two-part base to give it a thorough wash and ensure it is clean and safe for the birds.
Being plastic, you can wash it with warm and soapy water, so it is easy to keep clean. The ease of cleaning is a clear winning edge since nectar containers often have to be washed more often as the concentrates and the birds often make a mess of them.
Being a 32-oz capacity oriole nectar feeder, you can use it to feed a relatively large number of orioles without having to refill the reservoir frequently. However, it has ten ports, so if you get a large number of guests, they will likely empty it pretty quickly.
The First Nature 3088 Oriole Feeder is priced reasonably enough to enable you to acquire a couple of these for some true oriole-fest in your backyard.
Pros
- Elegant multicolored design with a transparent jar
- Has up to 10 feeding ports
- 32-ounce capacity
- Bright orange base
- Wide-mouthed reservoir
- Leak-proof design
Cons
- Not dishwasher safe
Takeaway
First Nature 3088 is a large oriole feeder, and the plastic material and color hold well over time. It is a superb nectar feeder.
4. Birds Choice Recycled SNOF – Best For Jelly & Fruits
Birds Choice Recycled SNOF would be a magnificent choice if you are looking for the best oriole feeder for jelly and fruit.
It is a multifunction oriole feeder that looks like a miniaturized bright orange poultry coop from afar. The bright orange color gives it a spectacular aspect that is sure to attract a following.
This feeder is also versatile enough to be used with a variety of oriole treats at once.
It is kitted with two removable cups where you can pour in your grape jelly and two skewers where you can attach fresh and delicious orange halves. Orioles love orange treats!
Made from recycled plastic, this is also a sustainable oriole feeder. It will soothe your conscience to know that you are not only helping sustain these beautiful birds but are also contributing to the health of our planet by using the Birds Choice SNOF Oriole Feeder.
While the body is made from orange-colored recycled plastic, it has a transparent acrylic roof that gives the orioles a good “bird’s eye view” of the treats in the feeder before they sweep in. This maximizes your chances of luring these cautious and meticulous birds to your treats.
The acrylic roofing also helps protects the treats, particularly the jelly, from the elements.
From a functional aspect, this design is also easy to refill and easy to clean.
The skewers where you attach your orange halves are made from a sturdy and durable metallic material that you can clean easily and which also prevents bacterial buildup.
The only missing aspect with this oriole feeder is an ergonomic perch, but this really won’t deter your hungry winged guests from figuring it out fast and settling down for the delicious treats.
Pros
- Recycled poly-lumber material
- Clear acrylic cover
- Easy to maintain
- Easy to hang outside
Cons
- Color fades off quickly
Takeaway
Birds Choice Recycled Oriole feeder is a heavy-duty oriole feeder that holds up well, so you will use it for the long haul. A perfect choice for treating your birds to some fruit and jelly.
5. Perky-pet 253 – Best Oriole Feeder For Jelly
Here is another super-efficient jelly dispenser to get the birds into a feeding fest.
The Perky-Pet 253 Oriole Feeder isn’t as beautifully designed as the best oriole feeders above, but it cuts through the clutter and simply gets the work done if you are looking for a dependable oriole jelly dispenser.
It has an orange tray base that attracts the orioles.
Affixed on top of this is a transparent jelly jar that should further attract the birds to the sweet jelly treats.
It is designed with three chains that support the tray and the jar but which can also double as perches where the birds can hang about to inspect the contents of the jar before they get down on the tray for the jelly treat.
The jelly is easily served from the jar by turning a knob which also stirs the jelly and controls the amount you are serving up at a time.
The twisting of the knob might be easy enough, but it isn’t automated, so if the birds clear the jelly in the tray, you have to get to the feeder and turn the knob to dispense more jelly. That’s a major drawback in this otherwise practically-designed oriole jelly feeder.
If you have many birds to feed, you will have to make multiple trips to the feeder, which some birdwatchers might find unappealing.
We also didn’t like the fact that it isn’t designed with a shade, so you will have to improvise on how to protect your jelly from the elements.
Despite that, this is still a cleverly designed and functional oriole feeder that serves its purpose.
Pros
- Wide mouth for an easy top refill
- Five feeding ports with long perches
- Optional orange spike attachments
- Easy clean
Cons
- A bit tricky to disperse additional jelly
Takeaway
The Perky-Pet 253 Oriole Feeder is a solid feeder with a strong hanger and strong perches. Gives you up to three feeding stations for nectar, jelly, and orange halves; not to forget that it is a handsome oriole feeder that will add some decorative aspect to your backyard.
It will be a delight to watch your birds savor the treats in this beautiful orange feeder.
6. Birds Choice Flower Oriole Bird Feeder – Most Attractive
This Birds ChoiceFlower Oriole Bird Feeder is a sturdy and beautifully-made oriole feeder that does a marvelous job at attracting a large number of Baltimore orioles.
It is a top-selling oriole feeder and is best suited for serving orange halves and grape jelly.
Orioles love these and you will enjoy watching them feed on this little orange flower feeder that looks almost like a tiny ornamental aspect in your backyard.
Pros
- Simple, attractive design
- Perfect for serving oranges and grape jelly
- Does not need any assembling
Cons
- Can be too small
Takeaway
Although it is quite small, we love the sturdy build quality. The black powder-coated steel material used in this oriole feeder lasts for years. The jelly cup is removable for easy cleaning and refilling.
How To Choose The Perfect Oriole Feeder
You can lure these beautiful birds if you have a bird feeder, or better yet, the best oriole feeder and the right treats to go with it like their favorite foods, including nectar, insects, mealworm, grape jelly, and oranges.
You can also incorporate some water and nesting material depending on the build of the feeder.
For a captivating oriole-watching experience, get yourself the best Baltimore Oriole feeder that will comfortably hold your cocktail of delicious cuisine, and you will begin attracting these pretty little birds to your backyard.
Keep in mind that orioles are often elusive and are also quite meticulous in their habits.
They have a sweet tooth, but they will carefully choose where to feed, so having the right bird feeder can make a huge difference in your bid to lure and feed these pretties.
Most oriole feeders come in bright orange colors as this color has been known to attract the Baltimore orioles. There is a variation in the types of oriole feeders available in the market.
This variety depends on several factors such as the type of treats you are planning to use it for, the number of birds you plan to feed at a time, ease of setup, ease of assembling and reassembling them, and ease of cleaning.
Some oriole feeders are specifically suited for nectar, while others are built for fruit and jelly feeding. There are also versatile and multifunction oriole feeders that you can use for pretty much everything, including nectar, grape jelly, fruits, and mealworms.
If you're one that has got the hands for DIY, you may also be able to come up with a proper homemade oriole feeder considering all the factors I have mentioned in this review.
Intended Usage
When shopping for the best bird feeder for orioles in your backyard, the first consideration should be what you plan to use it on. Are you looking for nectar feeders, fruit and jelly feeders, or a multifunction oriole feeder? That's one factor that will help you decide before getting one.
Size
Next, look at its size or capacity. Do you plan to lure a few birds or a large following of orange-plumed friends? Remember that the larger the oriole feeder, the fewer trips you have to make to refill it. On the other hand, a large oriole feeder may not be the best option if you only want to attract orioles or just a small number of birds.
Durability
Consider the sturdiness and durability. Some oriole feeders have such an excellent build quality that they will serve you for years.
One of the most common complaints that we have seen from oriole feeder buyers is that the colors wear off quickly after a few washes. However, if you have a versatile and durable oriole feeder, you can always spray paint with a fresh layer of bright orange.
Ease Of Assembly And Reassembly
Good hygiene is essential for birds' health, so the Baltimore oriole feeders should be easy to assemble and reassemble for washing. Some feeders can be cleaned in the dishwasher, but many have to be cleaned by hand using warm soapy water and some scrubber.
Shade
Finally, check if the feeder has some shade or roof covering that will protect the feeder's contents from the elements.
Conclusion
It takes time to attract orioles, even with the best bird feeder and a cocktail of treats. However, having the best feeder goes a long way in making this little quest a success.
A multifunction all-purpose feeder such as the Kettle Moraine is one of the best to have in your possession as it allows you to serve diverse treats.
If you are looking to serve specific oriole treats for your bird feeders, such as nectar or jelly, it is recommended that you go for a bird feeder that is specially designed for this purpose.
We recommend the Bird’s Choice 1009 Oriole-Fest Oriole Feeder as the best option for jelly treats and the First Nature 3088 Oriole Feeder as one of the best nectar feeders to buy.
