Oriole Bird Food Recipe (Nectar, Oranges & Jelly)

Orioles arrive in spring hungry for sugar and fruit. A slightly weaker nectar than hummingbird food, orange halves and a small dish of grape jelly will bring them to your yard.

Offer jelly in small amounts. It is sugary, and fruit and nectar are better for them.

Why your bird will love this

• Brings bright orioles to your yard
• Uses kitchen basics
• Set up in 10 minutes

Ingredient notes

• White granulated sugar Safe

  Plain white sugar and water, 1:4. Never honey, brown sugar, sweeteners or red dye.

• Oranges, halved Safe

  Halved oranges attract orioles and tanagers.

• Grape jelly Caution

  Plain jelly, no artificial sweeteners.

  Orioles love it, but it is pure sugar. Offer a little alongside fruit and nectar.

See every ingredient in the safety guide

How to make Oriole Bird Food

Oriole Bird Food takes about 42 minutes from start to finish and makes 3.5 cups. It is an easy recipe. You will need an oriole feeder. Read through every step once before you start, and set out all the ingredients so nothing is missed.

Ingredients and why they are here

You need 4 ingredients. Each one is checked against the ingredient safety guide for birds.

• 1/2 cup white granulated sugar: Plain white sugar and water, 1:4. Never honey, brown sugar, sweeteners or red dye.
• 3 cups water
• 2 medium oranges, halved: Halved oranges attract orioles and tanagers.
• 1 tbsp grape jelly: Plain jelly, no artificial sweeteners. Orioles love it, but it is pure sugar. Offer a little alongside fruit and nectar.

Step-by-step instructions

1. Boil the water, stir in the sugar until clear and cool completely. Allow about 30 minutes.
2. Fill an oriole feeder with the nectar.
3. Push the orange halves onto a feeder spike or nail, cut side out.
4. Spoon the jelly into a small dish near the oranges.
5. Replace fruit and jelly every day.

Tips for success

• Put feeders out in early spring when orioles migrate through.
• Orange is their color; an orange feeder works best.
• Wash jelly dishes daily to keep ants and mold away.

How to store it

Let everything cool completely before you pack it away, since trapped steam causes sogginess and mold. Keep it in the fridge for up to 7 days. If anything smells off or shows mold, throw it out.

How much to serve

Refill nectar every 2 to 3 days. Offer 2 orange halves and 1 tablespoon of jelly a day.

Why birds love it

Brings bright orioles to your yard. Uses kitchen basics. Set up in 10 minutes.

Feeding tips for birds

Birds are sensitive to toxins, so keep avocado, salt, chocolate, onion and caffeine well away from their food. Wash feeders and dishes often to prevent mold and bacteria. For wild birds, place feeders where you can see them but near cover so birds can escape from predators. For pet birds, introduce new foods next to familiar ones and be patient.

Make it ahead

To save time, measure and prep the ingredients the day before and keep them covered in the fridge. Label containers with the recipe name and date so you always know what to use first. Most of the work in this recipe is hands-off, so it fits easily around a busy week.

What to watch for

For pet birds, changes in droppings, fluffed-up feathers, or sitting on the cage floor are warning signs that need an avian vet. For wild birds, clean feeders every few days and take them down for two weeks if you see sick birds, so disease does not spread.

Shopping list

Before you start, check that you have white granulated sugar, water, oranges and grape jelly. Most of it is at the grocery store; hay, pellets, feed and supplements are at pet or feed stores. Buy fresh produce close to the day you cook.

Safety notes

Grape Jelly: Orioles love it, but it is pure sugar. Offer a little alongside fruit and nectar. Never add onion, garlic, chocolate, grapes, raisins, xylitol or salt, and check the safety guide before trying a new ingredient with your bird. This recipe is general information, not veterinary advice.

Frequently asked questions

What do orioles eat?

Insects, fruit and nectar. At feeders, they love oranges, grape jelly and sugar water.

Is grape jelly bad for orioles?

Small amounts are fine. Offer it with fruit and nectar, not alone.