WhenToBird

2 oriole species in Maine

When Do Orioles Arrive in Maine?

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

Baltimore Orioles mostly pass through Maine: the first show up in late April, they are common by early May, peak in mid May (16% of checklists), and most are gone by mid June. They are by far the most reported orioles in Maine.

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

When to look

First arrivalsApr 22-30late April
Common byMay 1-7early May
PeakMay 15-21mid May
Most gone byJun 15-21mid June

Best: mid May. First arrivals late April; most are gone by mid June. Peak: on about 16% of Maine checklists.

  1. Jannot usually seen
  2. Febnot usually seen
  3. Marnot usually seen
  4. Aprrare
  5. Maypeak season
  6. Juncommon
  7. Juluncommon
  8. Augrare
  9. Seprare
  10. Octrare
  11. Novnot usually seen
  12. Decnot usually seen

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

Orioles in Maine, species by species

SpeciesFirst arrivalsCommon byPeakMost gone byPeak %
Baltimore OrioleApr 22-30May 1-7May 15-21Jun 15-2116%
Orchard OrioleMay 1-7May 1-7May 15-21Jun 1-71.6%
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 Maine 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 Maine

Best counties for Baltimore Oriole

Share of checklists at the peak
  1. Kennebec CountyBest mid May · 1704 checklists that week, 48,185 in all28%
  2. Cumberland CountyBest mid May · 7127 checklists that week, 169,501 in all25%
  3. Lincoln CountyBest mid May · 2206 checklists that week, 59,429 in all22%
  4. Androscoggin CountyBest mid May · 675 checklists that week, 16,955 in all20%
  5. York CountyBest mid May · 3746 checklists that week, 101,844 in all20%
  6. Sagadahoc CountyBest mid May · 633 checklists that week, 21,736 in all16%

Common questions

When do orioles arrive in Maine?
Baltimore Orioles mostly pass through Maine: the first show up in late April, they are common by early May, peak in mid May (16% of checklists), and most are gone by mid June. They are by far the most reported orioles in Maine.
When do orioles leave Maine?
Most Baltimore Orioles have left Maine by mid June, when reports fall below half their usual rate. Stragglers are still reported until early October.
When is the best time to see orioles in Maine?
The Baltimore Oriole is reported most often in mid May, on about 16% of Maine checklists.
Which orioles are in Maine?
Baltimore Oriole and Orchard Oriole are reported regularly; the Baltimore Oriole is the most common.