WhenToBird

2 oriole species in Massachusetts

When Do Orioles Arrive in Massachusetts?

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 Massachusetts. Baltimore Orioles reach Massachusetts in late April, are common by early May, peak in mid May (50% 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 arrivalsApr 22-30late April
Common byMay 1-7early May
PeakMay 15-21mid May
Most gone byJul 1-7early July

Best: mid May. First arrivals late April; most are gone by early July. Peak: on about 50% of Massachusetts checklists.

  1. Jannot usually seen
  2. Febnot usually seen
  3. Marnot usually seen
  4. Apruncommon
  5. Maypeak season
  6. Junpeak season
  7. Juluncommon
  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 Massachusetts, species by species

SpeciesFirst arrivalsCommon byPeakMost gone byPeak %
Baltimore OrioleApr 22-30May 1-7May 15-21Jul 1-750%
Orchard OrioleApr 22-30May 1-7May 15-21Jul 8-146.7%
0%20%40%60%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 Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts

Best counties for Baltimore Oriole

Share of checklists at the peak
  1. Middlesex CountyBest mid May · 10910 checklists that week, 307,511 in all61%
  2. Hampshire CountyBest mid May · 5225 checklists that week, 162,423 in all55%
  3. Barnstable CountyBest mid May · 6161 checklists that week, 215,188 in all52%
  4. Norfolk CountyBest mid May · 3779 checklists that week, 114,756 in all51%
  5. Hampden CountyBest mid May · 1220 checklists that week, 35,410 in all50%
  6. Worcester CountyBest mid May · 4484 checklists that week, 128,594 in all48%

Common questions

When do orioles arrive in Massachusetts?
Baltimore Orioles reach Massachusetts in late April, are common by early May, peak in mid May (50% of checklists), and most are gone by early July.
When do orioles leave Massachusetts?
Most Baltimore Orioles have left Massachusetts by early July, when reports fall below half their usual rate. Stragglers are still reported until early September.
When is the best time to see orioles in Massachusetts?
The Baltimore Oriole is reported most often in mid May, on about 50% of Massachusetts checklists.
Which orioles are in Massachusetts?
Baltimore Oriole and Orchard Oriole are reported regularly; the Baltimore Oriole is the most common.