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Platte River Status: A common migrant and nesting species west to Lake McConaughy. Occurrence dates at the Mormon Island Crane Meadows, Hall County, are from 13 May to 18 July. Tout (1947) recorded orchard orioles in Lincoln County between 5 May to 17 August, and found them only in areas directly adjacent to the Platte River. Rosche (1979) reported orchard oriole nesting in the lower North Platte River Valley 14 May to 21 August.

Breeding Range: A common nesting species in the lowland forest of the Platte River Valley physiographic region and adjacent upland sites. Distribution of this species from Keith County west is limited almost exclusively to the valley of the North and South Platte rivers. Fairly common locally on the Eastern Plain and Dissected Plain, although conspicuously absent from the southern Lincoln County segment of the Dissected Plain. Short (1961) found this species commonly along the Platte River system west to the Colorado border.

Breeding Population: The mean population estimate of 25,000 breeding pairs in 1979-1980 ranked 25th in abundance among the species in our sample. Orchard oriole made up 1% of the total breeding bird population on the study area.

Habitat: We found the highest breeding densities in shelterbelt (48.5 pairs/km²), followed by lowland forest (15.0 pairs/km²), residential (10.5 pairs/km²), river channel islands (3.2 pairs/km²), and upland prairie (0.2 pairs/km²). Stewart (1975) reported that highest breeding densities in North Dakota were associated with established planting of ornamental shrubs and in shelterbelts. Rising (1974) reported orchard orioles as common throughout western Kansas in rank growths of willow and cottonwood. Highest nesting densities in Illinois were observed in hedgerows (50 birds/km²) and residential (45/km²) habitats by Graber and Graber (1963).

Effect of Habitat Alteration: The close association of this species with wooded vegetation is suggestive of the positive impact of de-watering and associated vegetation growth in the Platte River Valley. Shelterbelt establishment has been a significant benefit as evidenced by breeding densities over 3 times greater than in lowland forest. Shelterbelt establishment has proven positive to the general northward expansion of the species across the Great Plains as shown by their distribution in North Dakota (Stewart 1975).

Nesting Data: A nest on Mormon Island Crane Meadows, Hall County, was active during 25 June to 9 July. Collister (1950) observed a male orchard oriole near Brady, Lincoln County, making frequent trips to a large cottonwood tree where it was probably feeding young. Egg dates in Kansas range from 11 May to 11 August, with a peak in early June (Johnsgard 1979). Rising (1974) indicated that the bulk of orchard oriole broods in western Kansas occur during 20 to 30 June.