WhenToBird

2 oriole species in Virginia

When Do Orioles Arrive in Virginia?

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 Virginia. Orchard Orioles reach Virginia in mid April, are common by late April, peak in the second week of May (14% 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 15-21mid April
Common byApr 22-30late April
PeakMay 8-14the second week of May
Most gone byJul 1-7early July

Best: the second week of May. First arrivals mid April; most are gone by early July. Peak: on about 14% of Virginia checklists.

  1. Jannot usually seen
  2. Febnot usually seen
  3. Marnot usually seen
  4. Aprcommon
  5. Maypeak season
  6. Junpeak season
  7. Julcommon
  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 Virginia, species by species

SpeciesFirst arrivalsCommon byPeakMost gone byPeak %
Orchard OrioleApr 15-21Apr 22-30May 8-14Jul 1-714%
Baltimore OrioleApr 15-21Apr 15-21May 8-14Sep 15-2112%
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 Virginia 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 Virginia

Best counties for Orchard Oriole

Share of checklists at the peak
  1. Appomattox CountyBest mid May · 124 checklists that week, 4,946 in all62%
  2. Powhatan CountyBest the second week of May · 298 checklists that week, 5,825 in all45%
  3. Amelia CountyBest the second week of May · 58 checklists that week, 1,947 in all42%
  4. Clarke CountyBest the second week of June · 174 checklists that week, 8,388 in all41%
  5. King George CountyBest early June · 104 checklists that week, 4,478 in all33%
  6. Cumberland CountyBest the second week of May · 76 checklists that week, 2,428 in all32%

Common questions

When do orioles arrive in Virginia?
Orchard Orioles reach Virginia in mid April, are common by late April, peak in the second week of May (14% of checklists), and most are gone by early July.
When do orioles leave Virginia?
Most Orchard Orioles have left Virginia by early July, when reports fall below half their usual rate. Stragglers are still reported until mid August.
When is the best time to see orioles in Virginia?
The Orchard Oriole is reported most often in the second week of May, on about 14% of Virginia checklists.
Which orioles are in Virginia?
Orchard Oriole and Baltimore Oriole are reported regularly; the Orchard Oriole is the most common.