CALIFORNIA, Md. — The forests of Maryland are teeming with distinct plant life and rare animals. One of the highlights in the Old Line State is all of the colorful birds that soar through the skies on a daily basis, offering a haven for birdwatching enthusiasts across the East Coast. Between eagles and herons, take a look at the 10 birds below to discover what makes the wildlife in Maryland so special.
Scarlet Tanager
Scarlet tanagers make an appearance in Maryland each year between the spring and summer months. These beautiful birds are red and black, and they’re often found flying around in lush forests. Though you may mistake a scarlet tanager for a cardinal from afar, these little guys are usually a bit smaller than the latter.
Baltimore Oriole
The Baltimore oriole isn’t just Maryland’s most popular baseball team; it’s actually a real bird that you can spot flying around our state between the early spring and summer. Its distinct black and orange color scheme helps the Baltimore oriole stand out, and its basket-like nests are a particularly unique creation in the animal kingdom.
Fun fact: The Baltimore oriole is Maryland’s state bird.
Sandhill Crane
The sandhill crane hasn’t always been a common sight in Maryland, but it has been sighted more often in recent years within agricultural regions of the Old Line State. Adult sandhill cranes typically stand at around 3 to 4 feet tall, and they eat a mixed diet of small rodents, seeds and berries, among other plant and animal life.
Eastern Bluebird
Eastern bluebirds are common throughout Maryland throughout the entire year, making them a common sight for birdwatching hobbyists across the state. Male Eastern bluebirds are covered in a coat of blue with distinct patches of white and orange, while females are usually more gray. Though the Eastern bluebird’s diet primarily consists of insects, they’ll occasionally eat berries if the opportunity arises in the winter.
Bald Eagle
The bald eagle is quite a sight in Maryland, and it’s always fun to spot one since this brown and white animal is the national bird of the United States. Bald eagles often have a wingspan greater than 6 feet, so they stand out when soaring above the forests and wetlands of Maryland. In addition to their typical diet of fish, bald eagles will also eat small mammals and reptiles.
Fun fact: Bald eagles have been known to steal food from other avian animals.
Bufflehead
The bufflehead lives near the Chesapeake Bay, making it a common animal around the waterways of Maryland. They’re usually spotted in Maryland between the fall and spring, and they eat a diverse diet of small fish, insects and aquatic plant life. Buffleheads are famous for their short necks and chunky bodies, so it’s hard to mistake one if you spot it up close.
Black-crowned Night Heron
Black-crowned night herons have distinctly shaped bodies and a thick bill that’s perfect for grabbing fish out of the water. As such, bird enthusiasts can spot black-crowned night herons throughout the Chesapeake Bay year-round. Most notably, black-crowned night herons can live for more than 20 years, so they have one of the longest lifespans on this list.
Tundra Swan
The tundra swan makes its home near the Chesapeake Bay during the winter months. Tundra swans travel in large flocks, making it easy to spot a group of these white birds if you live near the water in Maryland. Unlike many of the other birds on this list, tundra swans are primarily herbivores, though they’ll occasionally eat small insects and mollusks.
Painted Bunting
The painted bunting is one of the prettiest birds found in Maryland. These tiny animals have green, blue, yellow and red feathers that make it easy to distinguish them from other birds in the Old Line State. Though they’re very rare in Maryland, painted buntings can sometimes be found in forests, fields and occasionally chowing down at backyard birdfeeders.
Brown Pelican
Brown pelicans are skilled at hunting fish, offering them a prime spot in the food chain around the Chesapeake Bay region during the summer. The wingspan of a brown pelican is often more than 6 feet, and flocks will fly in a V formation. Like other big birds, brown pelicans can live for more than 20 years if they remain in good health.
Got a tip or photo? Text us at 888-871-NEWS (6397) or email news@thebaynet.com.
Join The BayNet Membership for exclusive perks and zero ads.
Don’t miss a story—sign up for our newsletter!
