WhenToBird

Feeder timing · North Carolina

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

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

Put feeders outMar 22-31
First arrivalsApr 8-14
Last seenAug 8-14
Take feeders downAug 22-31

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
Orchard OrioleSummer visitorApr 8-14May 8-14Jul 1-7Mar 22-31Aug 22-31
Baltimore OrioleSummer visitorNov 15-21May 1-7Jun 8-14Nov 1-7Jun 22-30

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