By Simon Housner with photos from the VIREO Collection
Spring has finally sprung and a daunting migration is already underway for a vast number of birds!
Some species, such as the Dark-eyed Junco (slate-colored) are departing the Delaware Valley to head farther north towards Canada. Usually observed in small flocks, juncos are regular visitors to feeders during the winter.
Many other species of birds will be arriving in Eastern North America after enjoying a warm winter close to the equator. While spring migration rapidly approaches, here are five colorful species to look out for as they return to the Philadelphia area to breed and raise their young.
Tree Swallow
Tree Swallows live in Florida, Central America, and the Gulf coastline during the winter months. Every March, they begin their migration to the Northern United States and Southern Canada. Tree Swallows readily accept nest boxes in open areas near lakes, rivers, and marshes. Consuming mainly insects and spiders, they are North America’s only swallow species that are omnivorous, supplementing their insect diet with a variety of berries.
Local hotspots: Schuykill River, John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge
Common Yellowthroat
Common Yellowthroats are infinitesimal warblers that winter throughout Central America and the West Indies. With a distinctive appearance, males wear a bandit-like black mask and sing an unmistakable “witchety-witchety-witchety” song. This secretive warbler favors habitats near water like reedy marsh edges and brushy fields. Look for Common Yellowthroats to arrive in the Philadelphia area in late April.
Local hotspots: Bartram’s Garden, John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge, East Fairmount Park
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
One of our tiniest migrants, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are the only hummingbird species that breeds in Eastern North America. Part of their annual migration involves traveling across the Gulf of Mexico, which can be a 500 mile journey over water without a rest stop. Ruby-throated Hummingbirds arrive in late April and can be attracted to your yard with hummingbird feeders or by planting some of their favorite flowers such as Cardinal Flower, Monarda, Butterfly Bush and Honeysuckle.
Local hotspot: Bartram’s Garden
Baltimore Oriole
Baltimore Orioles migrate south, as far as Columbia (more than 2,000 miles!) in order to avoid snowy weather. They arrive in the Philadelphia area in late April and early May. Baltimore Orioles weave intricate hanging nests with an assortment of grass, tree bark, and other fine fibers. The common name “oriole” is derived from the Latin word “aureolus” meaning golden. Look for them high in the tops of tall trees or you can try attracting them to your yard or garden by putting out nectar feeders, orange halves, or even grape jelly.
Local hotpsot: East Fairmount Park
Indigo Bunting
Also returning from Central America and Northern South America, Indigo Buntings will be making an appearance in late April and early May. Their spring migration path takes them across the Gulf of Mexico where they amazingly use the stars to navigate at night. A songbird in the cardinal family, they favor open, brushy and weedy habitats with trees where insects and berries are plentiful, so look for an overgrown field next to a forest edge. Indigo Buntings relish bird feeders that serve mealworms and seeds.
Local hotspots: Bartram’s Garden, Franklin Delano Roosevelt Park
My husband & I seen two male Baltimore Orioles today on our property I have never seen here them in this area before.I will put out oranges & jelly in hopes to attract them closer for a photo.
We are in Goshen, In. We had never seen them before either. However, 5-6 years ago we put out grape jelly and oranges in a brightly painted feeder. Walah! We’ve had Orioles ever since. We find that they seem to favor Grape jelly most, until mid to late June. i’m told that their favorite bugs are then available, and they stay mostly in the tree tops.
They do stop down for desert once in a while. But, spring is here and they will be back for grape jelly. I expect them early, say mid April. Last year it was April 25. Good luck!
Thanks,
Larry Solyom
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I have not seen any colorful birds except the cardinals.
No colorful birds except cardinal.
An indigo bunting arrived at our bird feeder yesterday, May 4, 2020. It is the most beautiful sapphire color. It was back again this morning feeding. We live off Pennypack Park. First one I’ve seen in 35 years.
The habitat range of Orchard Orioles overlaps with that of Baltimore Orioles in the eastern and midwestern portion of the United States. However, Orchard Orioles aren t typical feeder birds, so they are not spotted nearly as often. In addition, these small orioles don t stick around in the U.S. nearly as long as their cousins do, so the window for spotting them is much smaller. Their spring arrival usually happens later than other oriole species and they sometimes migrate south as early as July.