There has been quite a bit of attention by bird enthusiasts, both national and international, given to a Streak-backed Oriole that has taken up residence at the Gilbert Water Ranch in Gilbert, Arizona, USA. The Streak-backed Oriole is a rare vagrant to the US from northern Mexico so birders come from all over the world to add this bird to their "life lists". The Streak-backed Oriole at the Water Ranch frequents the "Whistling Duck Way" trail and birders have adorned many of the trees along the trail with orange halves in an attempt to lure the oriole within viewing range. At times there are so many orange halves stuck on trees and bushes those of us who frequent the Water Ranch on a regular basis have come to refer to the trail as the "Orange Grove Way".

The oranges put out to attract the Streak-backed Oriole have had a secondary benefit in attracting other birds, too. Below are a few images of other birds that are routinely attracted to the orange halves.

Officially, the trail at the Gilbert Water Ranch the Streak-backed Oriole frequents is named "Whistling Duck Way". Unofficially, it is becoming known as "Orange Grove Way".		Here is a fine example of one of the "orange trees" on Whistling Duck Way. There are 15 orange halves stuck randomly on various branches of this medium-sized, thorny tree.
The object of everyone's desire...The Streak-backed Oriole. This bird has garnered so much attention, birders from all over the United States and some foreign countries have come to the Gilbert Water Ranch just to view this oriole.		Here's another look at the magnificent Streak-backed Oriole, without an orange in the image, showing better the streaks on its back from which it is named. :)
Some of the Northern Mockingbirds have become very defensive of the "orange trees" in their territories. I have seen them attack, and drive off, all of the different species of birds that come to feed on the oranges.		Great-tailed Grackles are about the only bird feeding on the oranges that are big enough to intimidate the mockingbirds. I've heard reports of the Streak-backed Oriole mixing it up with the mockingbirds but I have yet to witness that.
No self-respecting White-crowned Sparrow will pass up a free meal! There are so many oranges on the trees along "Orange Grove Way" none of the birds feeding heavily on the oranges should ever get common colds! :)		Since a Verdin's diet includes many types of fruits and berries, it is not surprising to me to see Verdins feeding heavily on the oranges.
At first I thought the Yellow-rumped Warbler was attracted to the insects around the oranges but he actually eats oranges.		Ruby-red grapefruit attracted Orange-crowned Warblers like a magnet attracts iron!
Honey bees are a hazard to fine dining at the orange halves.		Thankfully, the honey bees at the Water Ranch are not the africanized variety.

I have seen other species of birds feeding at the orange halves but have not been able to get photographs. I've seen Northern Cardinals, House Finches, and House Sparrows feeding at the oranges. The concentrated bird activity at the "orange trees" also attract Abert's Towhees and Curved-billed Thrashers, who rarely eat the oranges but will forage on the ground below the "orange trees".

If you plan on visiting the Gilbert Water Ranch to view the Streak-backed Oriole I have observed and photographed this gorgeous oriole both in the early mornings and late afternoons along "Whistling Duck Way". Look for the oriole not only at the "orange trees" but, also, observe carefully the bases of the larger mesquite trees found along the path. The Streak-backed Oriole, as well as Yellow-rumped Warblers, may be found feeding on oozing mesquite tree sap, too. When all else fails, search for the oriole in the many dried tumbleweeds (Russian Thistle) along the path. The Streak-backed Oriole can often be found breaking the tumbleweed twigs in search of insects within the twigs.