WhenToBird

2 oriole species in Alabama

When Do Orioles Arrive in Alabama?

Adult Orchard Oriole
Photo: Irene, CC0 1.0 via iNaturalist

Orchard Orioles and Baltimore Orioles are the orioles you are most likely to see in Alabama. Orchard Orioles reach Alabama in late March, are common by the second week of April, peak in late April (12% of checklists), and most are gone by early July.

Orioles here are the birds (Baltimore, Orchard, Bullock's and relatives), not the baseball team.

When to look

First arrivalsMar 22-31late March
Common byApr 8-14the second week of April
PeakApr 22-30late April
Most gone byJul 1-7early July

Best: late April. First arrivals late March; most are gone by early July. Peak: on about 12% of Alabama checklists.

  1. Jannot usually seen
  2. Febnot usually seen
  3. Maruncommon
  4. Aprpeak season
  5. Maypeak season
  6. Junpeak season
  7. Julcommon
  8. Auguncommon
  9. Seprare
  10. Octnot usually seen
  11. Novnot usually seen
  12. Decnot usually seen

Darker months: more checklists report it. Outlined: peak month.

Orioles in Alabama, species by species

SpeciesFirst arrivalsCommon byPeakMost gone byPeak %
Orchard OrioleMar 22-31Apr 8-14Apr 22-30Jul 1-712%
Baltimore OrioleAug 15-21Aug 15-21Sep 8-14May 8-145.3%
0%5%10%15%Orchard OrioleBaltimore OrioleJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
  • Orchard Oriole
  • Baltimore Oriole
Share of complete checklists reporting each species, by week (4 per month). Gaps: fewer than 10 checklists that week.

Frequency is the share of complete checklists in Alabama that listed the bird, 2016–2025. It is not a head count, and it follows where and when people go birding. How to read it.

Where in Alabama

Best counties for Orchard Oriole

Share of checklists at the peak
  1. Geneva CountyBest late April · 79 checklists that week, 3,203 in all58%
  2. Wilcox CountyBest late April · 29 checklists that week, 564 in all53%
  3. Barbour CountyBest early May · 64 checklists that week, 2,947 in all51%
  4. Sumter CountyBest late April · 25 checklists that week, 782 in all45%
  5. Bullock CountyBest early June · 33 checklists that week, 1,737 in all44%
  6. Russell CountyBest early June · 23 checklists that week, 846 in all42%

Common questions

When do orioles arrive in Alabama?
Orchard Orioles reach Alabama in late March, are common by the second week of April, peak in late April (12% of checklists), and most are gone by early July.
When do orioles leave Alabama?
Most Orchard Orioles have left Alabama by early July, when reports fall below half their usual rate. Stragglers are still reported until late August.
When is the best time to see orioles in Alabama?
The Orchard Oriole is reported most often in late April, on about 12% of Alabama checklists.
Which orioles are in Alabama?
Orchard Oriole and Baltimore Oriole are reported regularly; the Orchard Oriole is the most common.