Baltimore Oriole – Maryland State Bird
Maryland is a great place to watch and feed birds. Birdbaths, misters and drippers are especially effective in attracting birds, including non seed-eating species.
Species that might be expected at feeders include: American Goldfinch, Carolina Wren, Black-capped Chickadee, Blue Jay, Downy Woodpecker, Northern Cardinal and Mourning Dove. Each of these species is shown in the Nifty Fifty mini-guide.
On this page
The Nifty Fifty Birds of Maryland
The Nifty Fifty is a mini-guide to the birds of Maryland. It includes descriptions, images, video and songs of 50 of the most often observed birds of Maryland.
Bird feeding
Developing bird-friendly habitat in your yard is the best way to attract a greater variety of species and to support local and migrating species. Native plants provide food and cover, are more insect and disease resistant than non-native species, and may require less water. A list of bird-friendly native plants for Maryland are available by following the link on the left.
Bluebirds in Maryland
Eastern Bluebirds summer and nest in Maryland. One or two broods may be produced each year.
The Eastern Bluebird has a pleasant, musical song and a similar easy-to-identify flight call. They are most often found in open woodlands, parks, fields, along golf courses and cemeteries. The can be found in suburban areas with adequate open space.
Eastern Bluebirds
Bluebirds can be attracted to peanut butter mixes, suet and fruit. Raisins soaked in hot water to soften them are well received. The bluebird’s special favorite is mealworms.
Nesting
In Maryland, nesting commences as early as March and continues well into the summer. One and sometimes two or even three broods are produced.
Visit the bluebird section for detailed information on feeding bluebirds or building your own bluebird house.
Hummingbirds
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is the only species that regularly visits Maryland. It nests in the state each year, before migrating south. It flies across the Gulf of Mexico twice each year.
Visit the hummingbird section for details on attracting hummingbirds as well as images of all regularly occurring North American hummingbirds.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Purple Martins
Purple Martins arrive in Maryland in late spring, returning from their wintering grounds in South America. Check the Purple Martin section for information on martins in Maryland.
Detailed Purple Martin information is available in the Purple Martin section.
In Maryland look for martin scouts to start arriving in late March to early April. Martin houses should be opened a few weeks before the earliest arrival. Nesting willl be complete by mid-to-late summer. The martins then form into large flocks before heading to South America for the winter.
Purple Martin
Birding
Maryland provides birders with a variety of exciting birding locations.
The birding section of this site has tips on birding locations and bird identification. The state-based birding information section provides additional birding related information.
Maryland Resource Information
Allegany & Garrett Counties’ Bird Club
Audubon Society of Central Maryland
PO Box 660
Mt. Airy, MD 21771
410-997-9492
Chesapeake Audubon Society
14530 Manor Rd.
Phoenix, MD 21131
410-628-4246
Prince George’s Audubon Society
PO Box 2598
Laurel, MD 20709-2598
Southern Maryland Audubon Society
PO Box 181
Bryans Road, MD 20616
Maryland Birding Festivals
Annual Eagle Festival
Usually in March
Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge
, Cambridge, Maryland
Phone: 410-228-2677
The varied habitats of Blackwater, from open water to dense woodlands, produce a diversity of wildlife that change in numbers and species with the seasons. The Refuge woodlands provide year-round homes for owls, towhees, woodpeckers, nuthatches, bobwhite and woodcock. Also a fast growing population of wild turkeys can be seen. Numerous marsh and shore birds arrive in the spring and fall, searching for food in the vast mud flats and shallow waters of the Blackwater River. The warmer months invite warblers, vireos, orioles, flycatchers, and many others to this same habitat.
Annual Delmarva Birding Weekend
Usually in April
Phone: 800-521-9189
Come celebrate the migration of hundreds of warblers, shorebirds and waterfowl as well as many nesting birds and raptors. Chose from many trips at 17 locations. This region possesses an extensive variety of environments including barrier islands, coastal bays, tidal wetlands, cypress swamps, upland fields and primeval forests. More bird sightings have been recorded here than in any other region of the state. The weekend combines boat trips, canoe treks and expeditions by foot.