WhenToBird

2 oriole species in Delaware

When Do Orioles Arrive in Delaware?

Adult male Baltimore Oriole
Photo: Daughter Dad, CC BY 4.0 via iNaturalist

Baltimore Orioles and Orchard Orioles are the orioles you are most likely to see in Delaware. Baltimore Orioles reach Delaware in mid April, are common by late April, peak in the second week of May (15% of checklists), and most are gone by late June.

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

When to look

First arrivalsApr 15-21mid April
Common byApr 22-30late April
PeakMay 8-14the second week of May
Most gone byJun 22-30late June

Best: the second week of May. First arrivals mid April; most are gone by late June. Peak: on about 15% of Delaware checklists.

  1. Janrare
  2. Febnot usually seen
  3. Marnot usually seen
  4. Aprcommon
  5. Maypeak season
  6. Juncommon
  7. Juluncommon
  8. Auguncommon
  9. Sepuncommon
  10. Octnot usually seen
  11. Novnot usually seen
  12. Decnot usually seen

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

Orioles in Delaware, species by species

SpeciesFirst arrivalsCommon byPeakMost gone byPeak %
Baltimore OrioleApr 15-21Apr 22-30May 8-14Jun 22-3015%
Orchard OrioleApr 15-21Apr 22-30May 8-14Jul 8-1414%
0%5%10%15%20%Baltimore OrioleOrchard OrioleJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
  • Baltimore Oriole
  • Orchard 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 Delaware 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 Delaware

Best counties for Baltimore Oriole

Share of checklists at the peak
  1. New Castle CountyBest the second week of May · 2922 checklists that week, 72,140 in all33%
  2. Sussex CountyBest the second week of May · 2987 checklists that week, 91,027 in all3.8%
  3. Kent CountyBest the second week of May · 1320 checklists that week, 36,693 in all3.5%

Common questions

When do orioles arrive in Delaware?
Baltimore Orioles reach Delaware in mid April, are common by late April, peak in the second week of May (15% of checklists), and most are gone by late June.
When do orioles leave Delaware?
Most Baltimore Orioles have left Delaware by late June, when reports fall below half their usual rate. Stragglers are still reported until mid July.
When is the best time to see orioles in Delaware?
The Baltimore Oriole is reported most often in the second week of May, on about 15% of Delaware checklists.
Which orioles are in Delaware?
Baltimore Oriole and Orchard Oriole are reported regularly; the Baltimore Oriole is the most common.