WhenToBird

2 oriole species in North Carolina

When Do Orioles Arrive in North Carolina?

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 North Carolina. Orchard Orioles reach North Carolina in the second week of April, are common by mid April, peak in the second week of May (9.3% 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 8-14the second week of April
Common byApr 15-21mid April
PeakMay 8-14the second week of May
Most gone byJul 1-7early July

Best: the second week of May. First arrivals the second week of April; most are gone by early July. Peak: on about 9.3% of North Carolina checklists.

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

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

Orioles in North Carolina, species by species

SpeciesFirst arrivalsCommon byPeakMost gone byPeak %
Orchard OrioleApr 8-14Apr 15-21May 8-14Jul 1-79.3%
Baltimore OrioleNov 15-21Nov 15-21May 1-7Jun 8-143.0%
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 North Carolina 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 North Carolina

Best counties for Orchard Oriole

Share of checklists at the peak
  1. Scotland CountyBest the second week of June · 58 checklists that week, 3,267 in all49%
  2. Hertford CountyBest the second week of May · 21 checklists that week, 1,343 in all43%
  3. Anson CountyBest early May · 64 checklists that week, 2,224 in all43%
  4. Richmond CountyBest early May · 94 checklists that week, 1,967 in all29%
  5. Bladen CountyBest mid June · 96 checklists that week, 3,758 in all29%
  6. Columbus CountyBest late May · 161 checklists that week, 2,001 in all27%

Common questions

When do orioles arrive in North Carolina?
Orchard Orioles reach North Carolina in the second week of April, are common by mid April, peak in the second week of May (9.3% of checklists), and most are gone by early July.
When do orioles leave North Carolina?
Most Orchard Orioles have left North Carolina by early July, when reports fall below half their usual rate. Stragglers are still reported until the second week of August.
When is the best time to see orioles in North Carolina?
The Orchard Oriole is reported most often in the second week of May, on about 9.3% of North Carolina checklists.
Which orioles are in North Carolina?
Orchard Oriole and Baltimore Oriole are reported regularly; the Orchard Oriole is the most common.