WhenToBird

Feeder timing · Minnesota

When to Put Out (and Take Down) Oriole Feeders in Minnesota

In Minnesota, put oriole feeders out around the second week of April and take them down around late September. The first arrivals typically show up in late April and most are gone by the second week of September.

Put feeders outApr 8-14
First arrivalsApr 22-30
Last seenSep 8-14
Take feeders downSep 22-30

Rule used: feeders go out two weeks before the typical first-arrival week and come down two weeks after the last week birds are still reported. First arrival is the first week reports reach 10% of the species' usual in-season rate; last seen is the last such week. A few early or late birds can fall outside.

By species

SpeciesPatternFirst arrivalsPeakMost gone byFeeder upFeeder down
Baltimore OrioleSummer visitorApr 22-30May 15-21Aug 22-31Apr 8-14Sep 22-30
Orchard OrioleSummer visitorMay 1-7Jun 22-30Jul 22-31Apr 15-21Aug 15-21

Oriole feeders: orange halves, grape jelly or dilute nectar in a feeder with larger perches; replace jelly and fruit before it spoils.

Common questions

When should I put out oriole feeders in Minnesota?
Around the second week of April, about two weeks before the first orioles typically arrive (late April).
When should I take down oriole feeders in Minnesota?
Around late September, about two weeks after the last regular reports (the second week of September).
Where do these dates come from?
They come from the share of complete checklists in Minnesota that report each species, week by week, 2016-2025, not from anecdotal first sightings.