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Maryland offers some of the best bird watching on the East Coast. The state has many wildlife areas such as wetlands, mountains, forests and grasslands. Some of the best birding spots might even be right in your backyard. Check out these 12 must-see birds in Maryland to learn about their habitats, diets and how to spot them.
blue jays of maryland
There are plenty of bluebirds in the state; check out two of the most common!
oriental bluebird
In summer, the Oriental bluebird brings a splash of color to open fields. This species lives year-round in Maryland and the southeastern United States. You can recognize them by their royal blue heads and backs and rust red throats and chests. These little thrushes have plump bodies, round heads and big eyes. You’ll find them in open areas near trees, such as pastures, fields, parks, and backyards. Insects are their main food source, but they also eat a lot of fruit in winter.
blue jay
Blue jays can be found throughout the eastern United States, including Maryland, where blue jays have long lived. This large jay is easily identified by its prominent crest and various shades of checkered blue. They also have a bold black necklace. These birds inhabit many forest environments, especially near fringes. They tend not to be found in deep wooded areas. You can also find them in urban and suburban settings near bird feeders. They mainly eat insects, nuts and seeds. But these omnivores eat a lot, including eggs, chicks and dying adults.
redbirds of maryland
Need help identifying crimson and sorrel flying friends? Learn about some of the most common red birds in Maryland.
northern cardinals
The Northern Cardinals are an unmistakable sight in the eastern half of the United States. Males have bright red plumage with a black mask, while females are light brown with a warm red tinge. These cardinals are relatively large, with long tails and short, thick beaks. They live year-round in dense scrub areas of Maryland, such as overgrown fields, backyards, swamp thickets, and forest edges. They mainly eat seeds and fruit, but supplemented by insects. You’ll find this species at bird feeders, where they eat a variety of seeds.
scarlet tanager
The scarlet tanager is one of the most colorful birds in the East. These stout songbirds have short, broad tails and large heads. Their plumage is bright red and their wings and tail are black. The species is sexually dimorphic, with females having an olive-yellow color. They breed the birds in Maryland and spend the spring and summer in the Northeast before heading to South America for the winter. Scarlet tanagers live in mature deciduous forests, preferring large forests with tall trees. They mainly eat insects and some fruits and buds.
yellow bird of maryland
The bright yellow birds are hard to miss as they perch on feeders or flit around nearby trees. Two yellow birds spotted in Maryland.
american goldfinch
The American Goldfinch breeds in large numbers across the United States, breeding in the north and overwintering in the south. But they also live permanently in the Northeast, including Maryland. You’ll find them in overgrown fields and other weedy areas, but they also make their home in suburban parks and backyards. They eat almost exclusively seeds, so are common in backyard feeders. These small finches have short, conical bills and small heads. Males are bright yellow with a black forehead and black wings with white markings. Overwintering males are a drab, unbarred brown, and females are dull yellow and olive.
common yellow throat
The common yellowthroat is one of the most abundant warbler species in the United States. They breed in Maryland and most of the country, then overwinter in Mexico and Central America. And live in many densely vegetated and intricate habitats, such as wetlands, grasslands and pine forests. They like wet places and prefer to stay low where they feed and hide their nests. They eat insects and spiders, a species you won’t usually find on backyard feeders. They are small, stocky songbirds with long tails and rounded heads. Males have olive plumage, bright yellow throats, and black and white masks. Females are pure olive brown with a yellowish tinge.
brown bird in maryland
Brown birds may lack bright plumage, but this doesn’t detract from their vibrant personalities. Check out these two brown birds in Maryland.
sparrow
To say that North American house sparrows are plentiful is an understatement. They are some of the birds you are most likely to see when you step out of your Maryland home. They live permanently throughout the country, in many areas near human settlements. They adapt easily and live in cities, towns, parks, backyards, farms and anywhere there are people and buildings. They eat grains, seeds, and insects and often find feeders. They are stocky sparrows with full breasts and round heads. Males are striped sorrel and black with a pale belly. Their heads are gray and reddish brown with white cheeks. Females are tan in color with a striped back.
carolina wren
If you hear rolling songs near a wooded area, it’s most likely a Carolina wren. This species lives year-round in the eastern United States and gradually expands its range northwards. They can be difficult to spot due to their tendency towards areas with dense vegetation. Look for them in cypress swamps, swale woods, and undergrowth. You can also find them near abandoned buildings and overgrown farms. Although they eat some plants, their main diet consists of insects and spiders, so you’re unlikely to find them near feeders. The Carolina wren is small and thick, with a long tail and a downturned bill. Adults are reddish brown above and tan below, with white throat and eyebrows.
gray bird of maryland
Gray birds are sometimes overlooked, but these two birds are vibrant in their own way.
dark-eyed gentleman
Many birds roost Maryland year-round or in spring and summer, but the black-eyed rushgrass roosts in winter. They are one of the most abundant forest birds on the African continent and inhabit mainly coniferous and deciduous forests across the United States. However, during the winter they also live in fields, open woodlands, parks, gardens and backyards. They are seed eaters and often forage in the suburbs, but they also eat insects, especially in summer. These medium-sized sparrows have short beaks and long tails. Adult males are dark gray all over, with a light belly and white outer tail feathers. They also have pale pink beaks. However, their color varies from region to region. Northwest Territories adults have brown plumage and black heads. Females are usually brown with light stripes on the wings.
tufted tit
Tufted tits are common in eastern forests and backyards. They live year-round in Maryland in mixed deciduous and evergreen forests where they live in dense canopies. But you can also find this species in parks, orchards, and suburban backyards. They eat insects, seeds, nuts, and berries, and you can occasionally find them on feeders. They are small and stocky, but still much larger than tit-sized birds. These birds have large, round eyes and a prominent crest. Their plumage is silvery gray above and white below with a peachy wash. Females are similar in appearance to males.
Large Birds of Maryland (Raptors)
Large birds of prey are hard to miss. Check out these two uniquely large birds in Maryland.
red tailed hawk
The red-tailed hawk is the most common hawk in North America. They live year-round in Maryland and most of the United States. You’ll find them in nearly every type of habitat in the state, including scrubland, prairies, woodlands, roadsides, parks, and pastures. Elsewhere on the African continent, they even inhabit deserts and tropical forests. Most of their diet comes from small mammals, but they also eat birds, snakes, and carrion. They are large eagles with broad and short tails and long, rounded wings. These birds have rich brown stripes on their upper body, light gray underparts, and a cinnamon red tail.
golden eagle
The golden eagle is one of the largest and fastest birds of prey on the African continent. They live year-round in the western United States and winter throughout much of the east. However, they are migratory birds in Maryland. They live in open and semi-open habitats such as mountains, canyons, cliffs, cliffs, meadows and thickets. They prey on small and medium mammals, with jackrabbits being their main food source throughout most of their range. These huge birds have short tails and exceptionally long, wide wings. They are dark brown with pale flight feathers and a golden nape. Immature ones can be identified by their prominent white patches.
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I am broadly interested in how human activities influence the ability of wildlife to persist in the modified environments that we create.
Specifically, my research investigates how the configuration and composition of landscapes influence the movement and population dynamics of forest birds. Both natural and human-derived fragmenting of habitat can influence where birds settle, how they access the resources they need to survive and reproduce, and these factors in turn affect population demographics. Most recently, I have been studying the ability of individuals to move through and utilize forested areas which have been modified through timber harvest as they seek out resources for the breeding and postfledging phases. As well I am working in collaboration with Parks Canada scientists to examine in the influence of high density moose populations on forest bird communities in Gros Morne National Park. Many of my projects are conducted in collaboration or consultation with representatives of industry and government agencies, seeking to improve the management and sustainability of natural resource extraction.