When do orioles leave Minnesota? (to migrate south)

As the middle of summer arrives in Minnesota, Baltimore Orioles & Orchard Orioles are getting ready to start their migration back south to Central America, northern South America, and even Florida.

when do orioles leave to minnesota?

Crazy, right? It feels like they just got here. I hate knowing I won’t get to see these beautiful orange birds until next spring!

​

At this time of year, a common question I get asked is:

 

“When do orioles leave Minnesota?“

​

First, let me give you my disclaimer that there isn’t a specific date every year that orioles leave Minnesota to head south for migration. They rely upon their instinct to tell them when it’s time to go.

 

During July, most baby orioles are leaving the nest and becoming independent. Once that occurs and breeding season is over, the parents start molting their body and flight feathers in anticipation of their migration south.

when do orioles leave

Believe it or not, some orioles leave Minnesota as early as July!

 

But the majority of orioles start their migration south in August.

 

By September, it’s rare to see any orioles still hanging around.

To attract orioles to their yard, many people set out fresh oranges, grape jelly, and nectar, which orioles will readily consume when they first get back to Minnesota in the spring. But as summer progresses and flowers bloom, fruits ripen, and bugs are readily available, orioles don’t need your feeders as much.

 

So even though orioles may still be in the area, it’s pretty common for them to stop visiting feeders in early summer.

 

Most seasons, I put my oriole feeders away in July because the birds have stopped using them! My recommendation is to observe your feeding station regularly, so you know when the orioles have stopped visiting for the year.

 

Interestingly, you can also TRACK orioles to see if any birds are still in Minnesota!

 

Try using EBIRD to see if anyone has still been seeing orioles near you.

 

If you want to learn how to use eBird to do this, please watch the video below! (In the video, I am demonstrating how to track hummingbirds, but the same concept applies to orioles. 🙂 )

 


When do you usually see the last oriole in Minnesota?

 

Please leave a comment below.

 

Please make sure to mention WHERE you live!

 

Thanks for reading. 🙂

Leave a Reply

12 Comments

  1. I live in Roseville Minnesota. I also have Orioles at my feeder every single day from when they come back in May to when they leave in the beginning of September. Today is Thursday, August 31, 2023. I just saw a juvenile oriole at my feeder. Last year the last day I saw them was September 12. I’m hoping they stick around a little bit longer this year, too but I guess we’ll see.

  2. I live in Monticello Minnesota and I have many Orioles at my feeder every day and it’s August 21st

  3. We have a juvenile male in Rochester MN. He’s been at our feeder the last few days. We had an oriole nest in our yard this summer.

  4. We had either two or three families of Orioles all summer. Would see at least five at a time. We have a hummingbird feeder and a jelly feeder hanging in the shade. It’s only been a couple days that I haven’t seen the Orioles. The bees are taking over the jelly. That’s ok. 9/7/2022 Lake Crystal MN