Do Birds Like Oranges In Winter? Birds Advice

If you’re thinking of offering some fruits to wild birds, you might be asking yourself, “do birds eat oranges?†Yes, they absolutely do. Many wild songbirds love to eat oranges offered at backyard bird feeders. Oranges also have many health benefits for birds.

Now, a question might be lingering in your mind; do birds like oranges in winter? The short answer is yes. Many wild songbirds, such as robins, woodpeckers, bluebirds, and mockingbirds would like to eat oranges in winter. By offering oranges, you can even attract a wide variety of non-migratory birds to your backyard.

In this article, we’re going to talk about what birds like oranges in winter, whether oranges have any health benefits, how you feed oranges to birds, and what other fruits you can offer to wild birds. Here is another article for you: do wild birds sing in colder months?

Read Also: Do Birds Make Nests In The Winter? Click here

What Birds Like Oranges in Winter?

Birds that consume fruits and berries may like to eat oranges. Apart from that, birds that migrate to the tropics would usually prefer eating fruits, especially oranges. Now, let’s take a look at some of them below.

1. Orioles

When it comes to eating oranges, the first name that comes into your mind is orioles. A wide variety of orioles, such as Baltimore orioles, orchard orioles, bullock’s orioles, and hooded orioles love oranges throughout the year.

2. Mockingbirds

A variety of mockingbirds, particularly northern mockingbirds like fruits, especially oranges all over the year. So, you can attract them to your backyard by offering orange slices. In warmer seasons, they also hunt insects.

3. Tanagers

Scarlet and western tanagers prefer eating oranges. If you offer them oranges in your backyard in winter, these birds will likely come. However, we haven’t found any proof about whether summer and hepatic tanagers eat oranges or not.

4. Woodpeckers

Believe it or not, woodpeckers are fruit-eaters. A wide variety of woodpeckers, particularly red-bellied woodpeckers prefer eating fruits, especially oranges in winter when the insect population is scarce.

5. Corvids

Birds in the Corvidae family, such as crows, blue jays, and European starlings are likely to eat oranges. Since these birds eat almost anything in the environment, they will like oranges in winter when food sources are limited.

6. Other Birds

There are some other birds that are likely to eat oranges in winter.

• Cedar Waxwings
• Catbirds
• Robins
• Bluebirds
• Thrushes
• Cardinals
• Grosbeaks
• Thrashers

Are Oranges Good for Wild Birds?

Yes, oranges are good for wild birds. In fact, birds get the same health benefits from oranges as humans usually do. Oranges offer a small quantity of fiber and calories to birds so that they can store enough energy to use throughout the day.

Besides, oranges are fully packed with Vitamin C, which helps birds reduce stress during molting and breeding, improve digestion and fertility, increase immunity, and regulate weight control. However, overindulging may cause diarrhea in birds.

How Do You Feed Birds Oranges in Winter?

To feed birds oranges, you just need to cut oranges in half and place them on a platform bird feeder in your backyard. The fruit-eating birds will easily notice them. You have to secure the oranges from larger birds and animals, like crows, squirrels, etc.

#1. Impale Orange-Halves On Tree Branches Or Nails

To prevent larger birds and animals from oranges, you have to impale orange halves on tree branches or nails. Consequently, fruit-eating birds can easily find them but pests may not reach them. Impaling orange halves on tree branches will be better for them.

#2. Place A few Orange Halves In Suet Feeders

Another effective way is putting a few orange halves in suet feeders. There is no problem if there is suet with the oranges. This way, you can discourage larger birds, particularly starlings from reaching your oranges. See many suet feeders here.

#3. Install a Special Oriole Feeder

You may also go for an oriole feeder. There are several types of oriole feeders out there online. See all the designs, especially spikes for oranges, a couple that comes with nectar, and jelly cups all in one feeder. Check out this website.

#4. Create a Homemade Orange Bird Feeder

Out of a hollowed-out ring of orange, create a homemade orange bird feeder for your backyard birds. Poke a few holes around the rim and sew twine through them to make a hanging orange bird feeder. You can also add jelly or cut-up fruit pieces.

What Other Fruits Do Birds Like in Winter?

Birds can eat the fruits of all seasons. They can also eat fruits suitable for humans. Even, they can consume toxic types of berries, damaged or overripe fruits, which would not be suitable and delicious for humans. The fruits birds can eat in winter besides oranges are:

• Apples
• Blueberries
• Cherries
• Crabapples
• Concord grapes
• Elderberries
• Mulberries
• Plums
• Pumpkins
• Pears
• Raspberries
• Raisins
• Serviceberries

Final Words

In essence, there are many fruit-eating birds out there that will eat oranges in winter. The most common orange-eating birds are orioles, mockingbirds, tanagers, woodpeckers, several Corvids, and some other songbirds.

Oranges provide a lot of health benefits, especially Vitamin C. You can easily feed birds oranges, just cutting them in half. Apart from oranges, you can also feed them many other fruits, such as apples, raisins, cherries, and several berries.

However, we hope you have learned a lot about whether birds like oranges in winter or not. If you have ever fed oranges to any bird, share the experience with us below in the comment section. Any suggestion regarding this article and our website will be appreciated.

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Image Sources:

• Alamy.com
• Pixabay.com
• Stock.adobe.com
• Flickr.com