I stuck an orange half

onto the peg of my new oriole feeder and crossed my fingers. It was super late in the spring season (it’s best to put oriole faves out early), and I was sure I had missed the opportunity to lure a Baltimore oriole to my yard. But with the feeder and the oranges in hand, I had to try. Imagine my surprise when just one day later, a vibrant orange beauty showed up! It came back to the feeder a few times throughout the afternoon—and then I never saw it again. House finches happily munched on the fruit that I dutifully refilled.

This spring, I’m going to stock up on oranges and hang my feeder by May 1 so I have plenty of time to watch the orioles before they fly off to make nests and raise families.

You may know the Baltimore, orchard and Bullock’s orioles, but those common fliers have five more little-known relatives here in North America. Our bird experts, Kenn and Kimberly Kaufman, tell you where to find all eight of them starting on page 38.

Also in this issue, on page 44, get back to garden basics! Read about how pollination works and why it’s so important. Then flip to page 32 for 10 of the best long-blooming perennials. Many are natives that attract pollinating bees and colorful songbirds like orioles. All of these things lead to a healthy landscape full of wildlife for you to observe and enjoy.