When should I put out oriole feeders in Texas?

Around the second week of March, about two weeks before the first orioles typically arrive (late March).

When should I take down oriole feeders in Texas?

Around the second week of October, about two weeks after the last regular reports (late September).

Where do these dates come from?

They come from the share of complete checklists in Texas that report each species, week by week, 2016-2025, not from anecdotal first sightings.

Feeder timing · Texas

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

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

Put feeders outMar 8-14

First arrivalsMar 22-31

Last seenSep 22-30

Take feeders downOct 8-14

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

Species	Pattern	First arrivals	Peak	Most gone by	Feeder up	Feeder down
Baltimore Oriole	Passes through	Apr 1-7	Apr 22-30	May 22-31	Mar 15-21	Jun 8-14
Orchard Oriole	Summer visitor	Mar 22-31	Apr 22-30	Sep 8-14	Mar 8-14	Oct 8-14
Altamira Oriole	Winter visitor	Oct 8-14	Feb 1-7	Apr 22-30	Sep 22-30	May 15-21
Hooded Oriole	Summer visitor	Mar 1-7	Apr 8-14	Oct 1-7	Feb 15-21	Oct 15-21
Bullock's Oriole	Summer visitor	Apr 8-14	May 8-14	Sep 8-14	Mar 22-31	Sep 22-30
Scott's Oriole	Summer visitor	Apr 1-7	May 8-14	Aug 22-31	Mar 15-21	Sep 8-14
Audubon's Oriole	Winter visitor	Oct 22-31	Feb 8-14	Apr 1-7	Oct 8-14	Apr 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 Texas?: Around the second week of March, about two weeks before the first orioles typically arrive (late March).
When should I take down oriole feeders in Texas?: Around the second week of October, about two weeks after the last regular reports (late September).
Where do these dates come from?: They come from the share of complete checklists in Texas that report each species, week by week, 2016-2025, not from anecdotal first sightings.