Name: Baltimore Oriole

Description: While Major League's Baltimore Orioles adopted this bird’s name and colors, the bird itself is said to be named after George Calvert, Lord Baltimore, a 17th-century nobleman whose coat of arms also used the same colors. This cheery bird’s breeding range stretches across North America east of the Rocky Mountains, from Alberta to Newfoundland, from the Dakotas to Maine, from eastern Texas to Louisiana and Georgia. It winters in Florida, southern California, the Caribbean, central Mexico, and Central America to northern South America.

Other Names: Golden Robin, Northern Oriole (a cross between the Baltimore Oriole and Bullock’s Oriole, a western species).

Color: Male Baltimore Orioles have black heads and necks and wings that are black with a white wing bar and an orange patch on the shoulder. Its under parts and rump are also orange. The female Baltimore Oriole is duller and appears more yellowish below.

Sound: The Baltimore Oriole’s song is a series of rich, whistled notes interspersed with rattles. Its call sounds like chatter.

Preferred Environment: The Baltimore Oriole breeds along woodland edges and open areas with scattered trees, especially deciduous trees.

Nesting Habits: The Baltimore Oriole’s nest is a gourd-shaped masterpiece and is suspended like a hanging basket, usually high up in a poplar or elm tree. It takes about a week to build the nest, which is constructed of grass, shredded bark, horse hair, string and colored yarn. (Hang some on tree branches for them to find.)

Food Preference: Baltimore Orioles eat caterpillars, fruits, insects, spiders and nectar.