Baltimore orioles have one of the most unique nests of all the songbirds in New England.
According to allaboutbirds.org, “Baltimore Orioles build remarkable, sock-like hanging nests, woven together from slender fibers. The female weaves the nest, usually 3 to 4 inches deep, with a small opening, 2 to 3 inches wide, on top and a bulging bottom chamber, 3 to 4 inches across, where her eggs will rest. She anchors her nest high in a tree, first hanging long fibers over a small branch, then poking and darting her bill in and out to tangle the hank. While no knots are deliberately tied, soon the random poking has made knots and tangles, and the female brings more fibers to extend, close, and finally line the nest. Construction materials can include grass, strips of grapevine bark, wool, and horsehair, as well as artificial fibers such as cellophane, twine, or fishing line. Females often recycle fibers from an old nest to build a new one. Males occasionally bring nesting material, but don’t help with the weaving. Building the nest takes about a week, but windy or rainy weather may push this as long as 15 days. The nest is built in three stages: first, the female weaves an outer bowl of flexible fibers to provide support. Next, springy fibers are woven into an inner bowl, which maintains the bag-like shape of the nest. Finally, she adds a soft lining of downy fibers and feathers to cushion the eggs and young.”
During my recent trip to Presque Isle State Park in Erie, Pa., I came across an oriole pair building a nest. We saw tons of orioles overall, but this was the only nest I found under construction. I was amazed at how much progress the orioles made in just one day. The first photo below was taken on a Sunday and next two photos (and the one above) were taken on a Monday. Nature is amazing.
Click here to see photos of sandhill cranes at Presque Isle.
Birds of New England.com 
Truly amazing!! I am so blessed to have friends with a fabulous property enhanced by their dedication to attracting as many varied species of bird as possible. In a visit a few days ago I saw my very first Baltimore Oriole in the wild there. Awesome indeed. A visit there several years ago netted me a view of my first indigo bunting…try as I might on my few acres only a few miles from theirs I have never had success attracting more than the usual robins, bluebirds, cardinals, a variety of warblers, sparrows and wrens. Tufted titmice, purple martins (tree swallows) and the like…But I do not complain for a view of any wild bird is a glorious site
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My place is loaded with them.
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GREAT oriole nesting photos!!!
Thanks so much for sharing.
Best, Ann
Ann W. Firestone Broomtail Farm 23 Saw Mill Road S. Acworth, NH 03607 http://www.saveyourassrescue.com
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“We patronize the animals for their incompleteness, for their tragic fate of having taken form so far below ourselves. And therein we err, and greatly err. For the animal shall not be measured by man. In a world older and more complete than ours, they are more finished and complete, gifted with extensions of the senses we have lost or never attained, living by voices we shall never hear. They are not brethren, they are not underlings; they are other Nations, caught with ourselves in the net of life and time.” ― Henry Beston https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/182465.Henry_Beston
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Such beauties those Baltimore Orioles. I long for the day they come to my house but we don’t feed in any season but actual winter due to our heavy bear presence.
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