Smaller, less colorful and less famous than its cousin, the Baltimore oriole, the orchard oriole is also misnamed. While it might nest or forage in orchards, this summer resident is best found in woodlands along streams and wetlands, where it feeds primarily on insects. Rather than threatening the orchard crop, it helps to protect it.
Though they are fairly common residents throughout the eastern half of the U.S., there is some evidence that their overall population is declining. While orchard orioles benefited from the clearance of vast forests by European settlers, they may now be suffering from the loss of woodlands due to suburban sprawl.
On the other hand, based solely on my own observations, they seem especially common in central Missouri this year. More specific details regarding the orchard oriole were discussed in my post from June of 2016 (see: The Other Oriole).
