WhenToBird

Feeder timing · Tennessee

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

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

Put feeders outMar 22-31
First arrivalsApr 8-14
Last seenAug 15-21
Take feeders downSep 1-7

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 8-14Mar 22-31Sep 1-7
Baltimore OriolePasses throughApr 15-21May 1-7Jun 22-30Apr 1-7Jul 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 Tennessee?
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 Tennessee?
Around early September, about two weeks after the last regular reports (mid August).
Where do these dates come from?
They come from the share of complete checklists in Tennessee that report each species, week by week, 2016-2025, not from anecdotal first sightings.