MARYLAND AT A GLANCE

WILDLIFE

BIRDS

• Birds of Maryland (DNR)

Maryland also offers a convenient resting place for many migrating birds on their journeys south.

Evolving trends in bird migration and resident species since Europeans traveled to Maryland over 400 years ago are described in Maryland, Efficiency, and Birds.

Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos), Inner Harbor, Baltimore, Maryland, November 2009. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

Hen, Annapolis, Maryland, August 2003. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

Feeding mallard ducks (Anas platyrhynchos), City Dock, Annapolis, Maryland, September 2008. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

Bluebird, Eastern (Sialia sialis)
Male Eastern Bluebirds have blue heads and wings, red throats and chests, and gray lower bodies, while females have gray heads and backs with gray-blue wings, brown chests, and white lower bodies. They eat insects, fruits, and occasionally, reptiles and amphibians. They live near woods and in fields, backyards, and parks, and build their nests in tree cavities or nest boxes.

The Eastern Bluebird is the Official Bird of Caroline County (County Code, sec. 30-3), and Prince George's County (County Council Resolution, March 17, 1976).

Brant (Branta bernicla)
Brants are small geese that have black heads, necks, and chests and gray-brown wings. They have a white "collar" and, depending on the coast, can have either gray bellies (Atlantic) or black bellies (Pacific). Brants eat grasses, seaweed, and grains. They live in low coastal tundras. From the Arctic Circle, Brants migrate and spend their winter months along Maryland's coastal waters and those of other mid-Atlantic states.

Catbird, Gray (Dumetella carolinensis)
Catbirds are dark gray with black-capped heads and black tails. They eat insects and fruit, including blackberries and cherries. Catbirds nest in dense shrubs close to the ground and often are found in swampy areas. Extremely protective of their nests, Catbirds attack predators or other birds that come too close, and destroy any Cowbird eggs found among their own. During the winter months, they migrate south.

Chickadee, Carolina (Poecile carolinensis)
Chickadees are small birds that have gray bodies, white bellies, and black heads and throats. Their diet is mostly insects, but they will also eat fruit and seeds, especially sunflower seeds. They build their nests inside tree cavities or nest boxes.

Cowbird, Brown-headed (Molothrus ater)
Male Brown-headed Cowbirds have brown heads and black bodies, while females are brown with streaks on their bellies. They eat seeds and insects and live in fields, orchards, pastures, and in backyards. Brown-headed Cowbirds lay their eggs in the nests of other birds.

Crow, American (Corvus brachyrhynchos)
Crows are completely black and have glossy feathers. They eat a variety of food, including seeds, fruit, insects, and small animals. Crows make more than twenty different sounds. They live in most types of habitats, except desert areas. Intelligent birds, Crows are known to use tools, especially when it comes to food. Living and nesting in large flocks, Crows are social birds, but also aggressive, chasing away larger predatory birds or intruders.

Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura), Glen Burnie, Maryland, April 2011. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

Dunlin (Calidris alpina)
Dunlins are sandpipers. During breeding season, they have red backs and caps and black bellies; the rest of the year, their feathers show brown-gray with white bellies. They have black legs and long, slightly curved bills. Juveniles are brown-red with black spotted bellies and "V" shapes on their backs. Dunlins eat insects and small crustaceans. They live in coastal tundras. From Alaska and Canada, Dunlins migrate to spend their winter months around Atlantic coastal areas, including the Chesapeake Bay.

Great Egret (Ardea alba), Fort Armistead Park, Baltimore, Maryland, September 2012. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

Finch, Purple (Haemorhous purpureus)
Male Purple Finches have red heads and chests, brown-red streaked backs, brown wings, and whitish bellies. Females have brown backs and wings with white-and-brown-streaked bellies and a white line above the eyes. They eat seeds, nectar, fruit, and insects. They live in evergreen and mixed forests, but also can be found in fields and backyards.

The Goldfinch is the Official Bird of Howard County.

Goose, Canada (Branta canadensis)
Canada Geese have black heads, necks, legs, and feet. Their undersides are gray to brown and their back are dark brown, with a black-brown tail. There is a white stripe on the head that runs from the throat to behind the eyes and there may be a white "collar" that separates the neck from the back. Canada Geese eat grasses, corn, soybeans, leaves, flowers, and seeds. They live in fields, lakes, and marshes, but also can be found in parks. Flying in a "V" pattern, many Canada Geese migrate south during the winter months, while others remain in Maryland.

Goshawk, Northern (Accipiter gentilis)
Northern Goshawks have dark gray heads and backs with light barred undersides. They have white marks above their red eyes. Northern Goshawks have a wingspan of nearly four feet. They eat squirrels, crows, doves, and rabbits. In the canopies of mature forests, they live. Due to loss of habitat and competition with other birds, Northern Goshawks are endangered in Maryland.

Grackle, Common (Quiscalus quiscula)
Common Grackles have iridescent bodies, purple heads, and gold eyes. Juveniles are brown. They eat seeds, insects, and small animals, including frogs, mice, and other birds. They live in fields, marshes, open woodlands, and parks and usually nest in coniferous trees. Grackles are the main threat to corn crops in the country.

Grouse, Ruffed (Bonasa umbellus)
Ruffed Grouse are brown, black, and gray, colors which provide ideal camouflage for their lives on the forest floor. They have areas of black feathers on the sides of their necks called ruffs and there is a dark band across their tail. Ruffed Grouse eat leaves, seeds, and fruit, including crabapples, grapes, and berries. They prefer to live in young forests, but can be found in mature woods, along roads, and in fields. Ruffed Grouse are solitary birds, but will gather near food.

Hawk, Red-Tailed (Buteo jamaicensis)
Red-tailed Hawks can have brown backs and heads and pale undersides with barred bellies. They also can have red on their chests. They have short, wide tails and round wings. They eat small mammals, including mice, rabbits, and squirrels, as well as small birds, such as starlings and blackbirds. They prefer to live in open areas, including fields and farms and often will sit on telephone poles or trees while watching for prey.

The Great Blue Heron is the Official Bird of Charles County.

Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias), College Creek, Annapolis, Maryland, July 2010. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

Junco, Dark-eyed (Junco hyemalis)
Dark-eyed Juncos are usually gray or brown with a white belly. They have pink bills and white tail feathers. Dark-eyed Juncos prefer to eat seeds, especially sunflower seeds, but also will eat insects. They live in forests, especially those with pines and spruces, but can be found in shrubs and gardens. Dark-eyed Juncos migrate from Canada and spend their winter months in the U.S., including in Maryland, though some do remain in the State year-round.

Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos), Annapolis, Maryland, April 2000. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

The Purple Martin is the Official Bird of Calvert County.

Merganser, Hooded (Lophodytes cucullatus)
Hooded Mergansers are small ducks known for the wide crest or hood on their heads. The males are black with chestnut sides, white hoods, and yellow eyes, while the females are gray-brown with cinnamon hoods and dark eyes. They have serrated bills and an extra eyelid which allows for better underwater vision while foraging. They eat frogs, small fish, crabs, and grasses. They live in wooded lakes, rivers, and bays, nesting in tree cavities.

Mockingbird, Northern (Mimus polyglottos)
Mockingbirds are gray with light gray undersides and dark gray, white-spotted wings. They eat fruits and insects. They live in gardens, fields, and near woods. They are extremely territorial and will defend their feeding areas and nests against intruders, including crows and hawks. Mockingbirds can sing around two hundred songs and can imitate many sounds that they hear.

The Baltimore Oriole is Maryland's State Bird.

Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)
Ospreys have brown backs and white heads and undersides with brown patches on the wings. They have brown stripes across their eyes. Juveniles have white spots across their backs and tan coloring on their chests. Ospreys primarily eat fish, but also will eat carrion. They live near water, building their nests on poles, nesting platforms, and trees. They will hover above the water before diving up to three feet to catch a fish. Ospreys migrate south during the winter months. Also known as Sea Hawk.

Owl, Barn (Tyto alba)
Barn Owls have beige-gold heads, backs, and wings, with white heart-shaped faces, white undersides, and dark eyes. They have round heads without tufts, round wings, and short tails. Barn Owls are nocturnal, flying low over fields or marshes and listening for prey. They live in trees or buildings, such as barns or silos. Barn Owl populations are decreasing due to habitat loss and rodenticides and sightings in Maryland are rare.

Owl, Barred (Strix varia)
Barred Owls are brown and white with dark brown eyes. They have brown bars running across their chests and down their bellies. Barred Owls have round heads without tufts and round tails. The wings and tails have brown and white bars. They are nocturnal and will hunt for small animals, especially rodents. Barred Owls live in tree cavities in mature woods near water.

Owl, Eastern Screech (Megascops asio)
Eastern Screech Owls are gray or brown-red. They have ear tufts, bands and spots which provide camouflage among trees. Eastern Screech Owls are nocturnal. They eat small mammals, birds, and even insects, and then regurgitate the bones and other leftovers into oval-shaped pellets. Eastern Screech Owls live in tree cavities in woods near water, or in nest boxes.

Owl, Great Horned (Bubo virginianus)
Great Horned Owls are brown-gray with brown-red faces, yellow eyes and a white mark on their throats. They have two ear tufts that look like horns. Their wingspan can reach five feet. Great Horned Owls are usually nocturnal. They eat other birds and small mammals, but also will eat insects, fish, and carrion. They prefer to live in young forests near fields, but can live in other forests, deserts, swamps, and parks. Great Horned Owls are the largest tufted owl in Maryland.

Owl, Long-eared (Asio otus)
Long-eared Owls are brown-gray with tan or orange faces, square heads, and yellow eyes. They have black, brown, and tan marks on their feathers and two white lines between the eyes. Their ear tufts are long and black with orange or tan fringes. Long-eared Owls are nocturnal, spending their days camouflaged among trees and flying low over open ground at night for voles and mice. They live in forests near fields. Long-eared Owls are rarely seen in Maryland.

Owl, Northern Saw-whet (Aegolius acadicus)
Northern Saw-whet Owls are brown and white with yellow eyes and large, round, spotted heads without tufts. Juveniles are brown with yellow undersides. They are nocturnal and eat small rodents and insects. Saw-whet Owls spend the winter months in Maryland, usually in a tree cavity in dense woods, but they also will use nest boxes. Saw-whet Owls are the smallest owl in Maryland. Their name comes from the sound they make which resembles the "whetting" or sharpening of a saw.

Owl, Short-eared (Asio flammeus)
Short-eared Owls are brown with streaked chests, round heads with small ear tufts, and have tan spots on their outer wings. They have white-tan faces with yellow eyes. They eat small rodents. Short-eared Owls live in open areas, such as marshes or meadows, and nest on the ground or in nest boxes. Short-eared Owls can be seen in Maryland during their migration from Canada and the northern U.S.

Owl, Snowy (Bubo scandiacus)
Snowy Owls are white with dark markings on their bodies and wings. They have round heads without tufts and yellow eyes. They eat small rodents, especially lemmings, as well as birds. Snowy Owls live in tundras and make their nests on the ground. Snowy Owls migrate from Canada and spend their winter months in the upper half of the U.S., including Maryland.

Plover, Piping (Charadrius melodus)
Piping Plovers are shorebirds that have tan backs, white undersides, yellow legs, and a black or brown band between their eyes and around their necks. They eat small marine animals and insects. They nest on open sandy beaches. Piping Plovers migrate south during winter months. Their populations are decreasing due to habitat loss. Piping Plovers are endangered in Maryland.

The American Robin is the Official Bird of Montgomery County (County Code, sec. 1-405, Dec. 14, 1988).

American Robin (Turdus migratorius) on Government House fence, Annapolis, Maryland, June 2010. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

Sandpiper, Spotted (Actitis macularius)
Spotted Sandpipers have dark brown backs, white chests with dark spots, and orange bills during the breeding season. During the rest of the year, they have brown-gray backs, white chests, and yellow bills. When they walk, they teeter and bob their tails. Spotted Sandpipers eat insects and crustaceans. They live near water, along rivers, beaches, streams, and in mountains. The females establish and defend their territory and initiate courtship, while the males take care of the nest and the young. Spotted Sandpipers migrate south during the winter months.

Skimmer, Black (Rynchops niger)
Black Skimmers have black backs, white undersides, orange feet, red and black bills, and red legs. Juveniles have black-and-white backs and heads. They skim over the surface of the water, eating small fish and crustaceans. Black Skimmers migrate south during winter months. They nest on sandy beaches or shell bars. Due to loss of habitat, Black Skimmers are a threatened species in Maryland.

Sparrow, White-throated (Zonotrichia albicollis)
White-throated Sparrows have brown backs, gray undersides, a white patch on their throats, and yellow spots between the eyes. Some have black-and-white-striped heads, while others are tan-brown. They eat insects, buds, and seeds, especially sunflower seeds. They live in parks, thickets, deciduous forests, and near ponds. They migrate from Canada and spend their winter months throughout the eastern and coastal U.S., including Maryland.

Swan, Tundra (Cygnus columbianus)
Tundra Swans are white, though their heads and necks may be brown. They have black legs and beaks and a yellow mark near the eyes. They eat aquatic plants, seeds, and mollusks. They breed near lakes on the tundra. Tundra Swans seen in Maryland are known as the Eastern population. They migrate south from Canada and spend their winter months in Maryland, living in marshes and tidal estuaries.

Swift, Chimney (Chaetura pelagica)
Chimney Swifts are gray-brown with narrow, curved wings, small beaks, and legs that are built to cling onto walls, but not perch. Chimney Swifts eat flying insects, foraging in fields and over lakes, though they nest in chimneys or in other dark, enclosed areas, such as caves, hollow trees, and wells. At dusk, they will flock together and in a whirling motion, swoop down into one chimney. Chimney Swifts migrate south during the winter months. Their populations have been declining due to loss of habitat.

Turkey, Eastern Wild (Meleagris gallopavo)
Male Eastern Wild Turkeys are brown to black with iridescent feathers with heads that turn white, red, or blue during breeding season. They have spurs on their legs and a "beard" that extends off the chest. Females are duller, lacking spurs and usually the beard, and their heads stay the same color as their bodies. Turkeys eat acorns, seeds, fruits, and insects. They prefer to live in mature forests, but can be found in fields as well. They nest in leaves near trees and bushes or in overgrown fields. Turkeys are known to swim and can fly short distances at up to 50 mph, if necessary.

Warbler, Yellow (Setophaga petechia)
Yellow Warblers are bright yellow, though males have red streaks on their undersides. They eat insects and fruit. Yellow Warblers live in thickets, woodlands, parks, and near streams. They migrate south during winter months. Yellow Warblers are known to build new nests on top of ones parasitized by Cowbirds.

Waxwing, Cedar (Bombycilla cedrorum)
Cedar Waxwings are brown-gray with black faces outlined in white, pale yellow bellies, and crested heads. Their wing feathers have red waxy tips and their tails have a yellow tip. Juveniles have browner backs, streaked undersides, and lack the red wingtips. Cedar Waxwings eat fruit and insects and tend to feed in flocks. If they eat too many overripe berries, they can become intoxicated. They live in orchards, woodlands, gardens, and farms.

Woodcock, American (Scolopax minor)
American Woodcock are brown, black, tan, and gray, colors which provide excellent camouflage among the leaves. Their have black bars across their heads and dark-light markings on their shoulders and brown wings. American Woodcock eat insects, primarily worms, but also will eat seeds. They live in young forests and fields. Most American Woodcock will migrate south during the winter months.

Woodpecker, Downy (Picoides pubescens)
Downy Woodpeckers have black-and-white-striped heads, black wings with white spots, black backs with a central white stripe, and white-gray undersides. Males have a red spot on the backs of their heads. Downy Woodpeckers eat insects, berries, and seeds, especially sunflower seeds. They live in open woodlands, parks, and backyards and they nest in dead trees. Instead of singing, Downy Woodpeckers drum their bills against wood.

Woodpecker, Red-bellied (Melanerpes carolinus)
Male Red-bellied Woodpeckers have black-and-white backs and wings and red caps that run from their bills to their necks, while females have gray heads with red patches on their necks and above their bills. Juveniles do not have any red on their heads. Red-bellied Woodpeckers have pink, not red, bellies and long, barbed tongues. They climb up and down trees, eating insects, nuts, seeds, acorns, and fruit. They live in mature forests and woodlands, but also can be in backyards.

Wren, Bewick's (Thryomanes bewickii)
Bewick's Wrens are brown, and have gray-white throats and undersides, black-barred tails, and white stripes over the eyes. They eat insects. Bewick's Wrens live in scrubby areas, gardens, parks, and open woodlands near streams and make their nests in tree cavities. Bewick's Wrens are named after Thomas Bewick, a friend of John James Audubon, who was the first person to recognize the bird. Bewick's Wrens are endangered in Maryland.

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