WhenToBird

2 oriole species in Maryland

When Do Orioles Arrive in Maryland?

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 Maryland. Baltimore Orioles reach Maryland in mid April, are common by late April, peak in the second week of May (22% of checklists), and most are gone by the second week of September.

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 bySep 8-14the second week of September

Best: the second week of May. First arrivals mid April; most are gone by the second week of September. Peak: on about 22% of Maryland checklists.

  1. Jannot usually seen
  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 Maryland, species by species

SpeciesFirst arrivalsCommon byPeakMost gone byPeak %
Baltimore OrioleApr 15-21Apr 22-30May 8-14Sep 8-1422%
Orchard OrioleApr 15-21Apr 22-30May 8-14Jul 8-1417%
0%10%20%30%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 Maryland 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 Maryland

Best counties for Baltimore Oriole

Share of checklists at the peak
  1. Washington CountyBest mid May · 693 checklists that week, 24,020 in all34%
  2. Baltimore CountyBest the second week of May · 5509 checklists that week, 136,139 in all32%
  3. Harford CountyBest the second week of May · 1584 checklists that week, 39,311 in all32%
  4. Carroll CountyBest the second week of May · 1196 checklists that week, 26,728 in all32%
  5. Montgomery CountyBest the second week of May · 7983 checklists that week, 219,548 in all28%
  6. Garrett CountyBest the second week of May · 1743 checklists that week, 37,616 in all28%

Common questions

When do orioles arrive in Maryland?
Baltimore Orioles reach Maryland in mid April, are common by late April, peak in the second week of May (22% of checklists), and most are gone by the second week of September.
When do orioles leave Maryland?
Most Baltimore Orioles have left Maryland by the second week of September, when reports fall below half their usual rate. Stragglers are still reported until late September.
When is the best time to see orioles in Maryland?
The Baltimore Oriole is reported most often in the second week of May, on about 22% of Maryland checklists.
Which orioles are in Maryland?
Baltimore Oriole and Orchard Oriole are reported regularly; the Baltimore Oriole is the most common.