33 Backyard Birds in Maryland

What are the common backyard birds in Maryland?

What birds will you see in your backyards in Maryland? This article will help you identify the most common backyard birds in Maryland.

Which backyard birds of Maryland can you spot on your birdfeeders and what kind of birds should you look for on the ground? What kind of birdseed should you be using? All these questions will be answered.

This article will help you to identify common backyard birds in Virginia for all seasons. We will explain what to look for by color, shape, and size. We will also include a picture so you can refer to this guide when you can’t identify a bird in your backyard.

There are 458 bird species in Maryland. The most-seen birds in Maryland are House Finches, Carolina Chickadees, Blue Jays, Eastern Bluebirds, Northern Cardinal, and Tufted Titmouses.

The official state bird of Maryland is the Baltimore Oriole. It can be seen in Maryland during the breeding season.

For other birdwatching in Maryland see our article on Owls in Maryland, Woodpeckers in Maryland, Hawks in Maryland, and Ducks in Maryland.

1. Baltimore Oriole

Baltimore Oriole sitting on a branch

Scientific Name: Icterus galbula Size: 6.7-7.5 inches

The Baltimore oriole is a common backyard bird, and also the state bird of Maryland. Look carefully for it as it spends most of its time high in the treetops and is often hard to see.

The Baltimore oriole is a medium-sized bird. It has black plumage, orange body feathers, and bright yellow underparts. The male oriole has a large patch of orange on the back of its neck and two black spots on each side of its head.

The female oriole has a black patch on the back of her neck and one spot on each side of her head. The female is duller than the male and sometimes has a brownish tinge to the black feathers.

The Baltimore Oriole eats insects and worms. They are also common visitors to feeders, where they will eat fruit and suet, grape jelly, and nectar.

In Maryland, you will start to see Baltimore Orioles beginning in March or April. They will stay in Maryland for the breeding season and then will head south for the winter beginning as early as late summer through September.

Song And Call

2. Northern Cardinal

Both male and female cardinal sitting on a branch

Scientific Name:  Cardinalis cardinalis  Size: 8.3-9.1 inches

The Northern Cardinal is one of the most common and popular backyard birds in the eastern half of the United States and is found in Maryland year-round.

A male cardinal is a bright red in color and the female is a brownish color with red on its wings. The male’s crest is also longer than the female’s. They both have a thick finch bill with black around their faces.

The Northern Cardinal is a songbird and males sing from high perches to attract mates. They are very territorial and will defend their territory from other Cardinals

The Northern Cardinal is a seed eater, eating seeds from the ground or off plants. They also eat insects, fruits, and berries when available.

Cardinals are frequent users of feeders and are attracted by wild bird seed mix, black-oil sunflower seeds, and safflower seeds. 

It is often said that when a “cardinal appears a loved one is near”, so the cardinal brings peace of mind to many.

Song And Call

3. Tufted Titmouse

Scientific Name: Baeolophus bicolor  Size: 5.5-6.3 inches

The Tufted Titmouse is a small bird that can be found in the United States and Canada. It has a black crest/crown over its head, and a gray upper body with a white front and tufted gray crest. The Tufted Titmouse bird lives in deciduous forests, river basins, backyards, swamps, and other habitats.

Tufted Titmouse diet consists of insects, seeds, and berries, and will feed on the ground or in trees. They will often be found with Chickadees and love feeders, suet, and shelled peanuts.

To attract Tufted Titmice to your backyard you should provide them with sunflower seeds peanuts suet placed at feeder sites across Maryland that they can visit 93% of the time.

Song And Call

4. Carolina Chickadees

Scientific Name: Poecile carolinensis Size: 3.9-4.7 inches

The Carolina Chickadee is a tiny bird with a short neck, large head, and long and narrow tail. It has a black cap and bib with white cheeks. The rest of its body is a light gray.

During the summer, the Carolina Chickadee mostly eats small insects and spiders. They can hang upside down on a tree to get insects from the bark.

During the winter in addition to insects, they will eat from your bird feeders. They like sunflower seeds and suet. They also like peanuts.

Chickadees are common backyard birds in Maryland due to their preference for deciduous or mixed woods with large trees, as well as their willingness to eat a variety of food from different feeders. It has been seen at 93% of all feeder sites in Maryland and likes to eat black oil and hulled sunflower seeds, safflower, nyjer, peanuts, and peanut hearts.

Sone and call

5. Blue Jay

Blue Jay sitting on a branch

Scientific Name: Cyanocitta cristata Size: 9.8-11.8 inches

Blue jays are easily identified by their blue feathers, white cheeks, and large crest on top of their head.

They are loud and noisy, but other birds trust them to notify them when there’s danger around. Jays are one of the species that will mob hawks and owls and pin them down in trees, alerting all the birds in the area that a predator is nearby.

Blue jays are very intelligent birds and have a wide range of vocalizations. They are known to mimic other birds, animals, and even humans. Blue jays will also use their intelligence to solve problems.

Blue jay’s diet consists of nuts, fruits, and insects. They will also eat bird seed from backyard feeders and they have been known to steal food from other birds

Jays love whole peanuts. Toss a handful on your lawn or patio and watch what happens. They fly away with their peanuts and leave the feeders alone for a while.

Blue Jays are common backyard birds in Maryland and are seen year-round. They can be found in suburban areas, parks, and forests.

song and call

6. White-breasted Nuthatch

white-breasted nuthatch

Scientific Name: Sitta carolinensis  Size: 5.1-5.5 inches

The White-breasted Nuthatch is a common backyard bird in Maryland with a frequency of 29%.

It has a large head, short tail, and stout bill, and is grayish-brown above with a white breast with black streaks. The nape and sides of its head are chestnut-brown. This species can be found year-round in woodlands, parks, and residential areas across the state.

The White-breasted Nuthatch will visit most seed feeders and like mixed seed blends, black sunflower seeds, peanut butter, peanuts, or suet. They usually like to grab and run, taking a seed and immediately flying off to eat it or cache it in a nearby tree.

Song And Call

They are known for their call.

7. American Robins

American Robin

Scientific Name: Turdus migratorius   Size: 7.9-11.0 inches

The American Robin is a migratory bird that can be found throughout North America. Its body shape and plumage resemble that of the Blue Jay. They are brown and orange.

The American Robin is found in many different habitats including woodlands, forests, fields, parks, and lawns. In winter, when food sources are limited by cold weather conditions, the American Robin will migrate south. It returns north each spring when conditions are more conducive for finding food.

The American Robin primarily eats fruits, berries, snails, earthworms, and insects. They nest in wooded areas or backyards.

To attract American Robins to your backyard feeders with sunflower seeds, suet and peanut hearts, fruit, and mealworms. Its presence at 69% of all feeder sites in the state of Maryland.

Additionally, the American Robin is well-known for its singing abilities which adds to its popularity as a backyard resident of Maryland.

Song And Call

8. Mourning Dove

Scientific Name: Zenaida mactoura  Size: 9.1-13.4 inches

The Mourning Dove is included as a common backyard bird in Maryland because it is a medium-sized bird that can be easily spotted at bird feeders in the state.

They have a high reproductive rate and are not picky about where they live. The coloration of mourning doves is subdued and generally brown with darker brown spotting on the back and wings.

They can be found in open lands, such as agricultural fields and grasslands, as well as areas of open woodland.

Mourning Doves are one of the vacuums of the bird world, so they don’t eat from feeders but from what falls on the ground when other birds use your feeder. They also eat insects such as crickets, grasshoppers, and beetles.

Song And Call

Their calls sound quite sad, making them easy to identify.

9. European Starling

Scientific Name: Sturnus vulgaris  Size: 7.9-9.1 inches

The European Starling is the size of a Robin and from a distance looks all black. However, they have a purplish-green iridescent color to them when you see them up close. Their yellow bill stands out and they have short tails.

The European Starling likes to eat small insects, worms, small seeds, and berries and frequents bird feeders.

They are seen year-round in Maryland living where humans are, in towns and cities, and roost in trees and on buildings, also you will see them on wires. They like open fields and lawns and are not far from a water source. You often see them in large flocks with blackbirds and grackles.

Song And Call

10. American Goldfinch

American Goldfinch male
MALE

Scientific Name: Spinus tristis  Size: 4.3-5.1 inches

The American Goldfinch is a small, sparrow-sized bird with a short, notched tail.

In Spring and Summer, the male has a bright yellow body, black wings with wing bars, and a heavy, finch-like bill, while the female is less boldly colored. In winter both males and females become dull green-gray and look like female House Finches.

Goldfinches are very social birds and often travel in flocks. They fly in a rolling up-and-down pattern, and their song is high-pitched and mellifluous.

They love Nyjer and sunflower seeds year-round, but will also eat a finch seed blend. Finch feeders have very small openings and can be either rigid feeders or disposable nylon socks.

American Goldfinches are spotted in Mayland yearly, but their numbers increase during the breeding season. Breeding usually starts in late April or early May.

Song and call

11. House Finch

House Finch both male and female

Scientific Name: Haemorhous mexicanus  Size: 5.1-5.5 inches

The House Finch is a small, colorful bird that is easy to spot in residential areas. The color differs between males and females; males have a reddish face and upper breast, with brown streaks on their back, belly, and tail. Females have a gray and brown pattern on their feathers.

House Finches are found across North America. They prefer to eat small worms, small seeds, and insects but their diet consists of seeds, fruits, berries, and insects. They migrate during the winter months to find food sources.

Song And Call

12. Downy Woodpecker

downy woodpecker
MALE

Scientific Name: Dryobates pubescens  Size:  5.5-6.7 inches

The Downy Woodpecker is the smallest woodpecker in North America. It has a black-and-white striped head and black wings with white spots and a solid white back and white underparts. The Downy Woodpecker has a black tail with white outer tail feathers with black bars or spots. The male has a small red spot on the back of his head.

Mostly Downy Woodpeckers eat insects. The male tends to eat from the ground while the female likes to find insects from branches and in trees. They will also eat seeds, weeds, and fruit.

The Downy Woodpecker will visit your backyard feeders for suet and nuts.

The Downy Woodpecker is a common bird found throughout Maryland in places where there are trees. You will see them in residential areas, cities, farmland, and wooded areas.

Call

Drumming

13. Red-bellied Woodpecker

Scientific Name: Melanerpes carolinus Size: 9.4 inches

Red-bellied woodpeckers are a common backyard bird in Maryland. They are gray with faint red on their bellies and have a black and white striped pattern on their back and wings. You can see them in hardwood forests but can also be found in pine trees, residential areas, orchards, and even urban parks.

It’s big, it’s loud, and it will peck on your siding.

Red-bellied Woodpeckers devour spiders, insects, and seeds from grasses, fruits, and nuts. They are especially fond of acorns and beech nuts. In fact, they play an important role in dispersing these seeds since they often cache (or store) more food than they can eat in one sitting.

Red-bellied Woodpeckers are found in all Eastern US states, and they don’t migrate. This means that you can see them in your backyard all year round! They tend to stay close to the ground and can often be found in birdfeeders, specifically in wooded areas.

Call

This bird is usually vocal, making various calls and songs throughout the day.

Drumming

14. Dark-eyed Junco

Scientific Name: Junco hyemalis  Size: 5.5-6.3 inches

The dark-eyed juncos are little birds that are slated gray in color. They are known as medium size sparrows with long tails, round faces, and white on its belly. They also have bright white markings on its tail.

Dark-eyed junco has a population of over 600 million making it one of the most common birds in the United States and Canada.

The Dark-eyed Junco eats seeds, berries, and insects. They can be found in bushes and trees. Juncos LOVE feeders! They will eat whatever you put out black-oil sunflower seeds, suet, peanut butter, or generic wild bird food.  They are not picky.

When Juncos appear, Winter is near. You can see them in Canada and the western mountains during the spring and summer. These birds flew south to North America for the winter months.

Look for them on deciduous forest floors and on the grass in your backyard. They can be found in bushes and trees all over Maryland during the winter months.

This is another bird that can travel in mixed flocks, so you never know who else will turn up at your feeder alongside the Juncos.

Song And Call

15. Carolina Wrens

Scientific Name: Troglodytes aedon Size: 4.35.1 inches

The House Wren is a small songbird weighing about the same as two quarters. Its coloring is all brown with a darker brown on the wings and tail, for a small bird it has a long curved beak.

The House Wren eats many different types of insects from flies to spiders. They also like snail shells.

House Wren has a very large range and can be seen over the entire Western Hemisphere. It can be seen in Maryland during the summer as they breed in North America and fly south for the winter. You can see them in yards, by buildings, and by farms.

House Wren will come to your backyard especially if you have downed brush as they like to go under for cover and eat insects.

A lot of birds packed into a tiny body. Carolina Wrens are aggressive and loud and have no issue chasing off larger birds from their neighborhood. Small, brown bird with creamy-colored breasts, distinctive white eye stripe, white wing bars, and a cocked-up tail.

Song And Call

Carolina Wrens have a lot to say. If you hear something that sounds like a finger running down a comb, that’s a Carolina Wren. The easiest call to learn is the “Tea Kettle, Tea Kettle, Tea Kettle” call.

16. Red-winged Blackbird

MALE

Scientific Name: Agelaius phoeniceus  Size: 6.7-9.1 inches

  • This common and easily recognizable bird can be spotted all year in Maryland but is especially common during the summer months.
  • As with most birds, the males are brighter than the females who are usually brown in color with dark stripes on their undersides. The females also have white eyebrow-like markings above their eyes.
  • The Red-winged blackbird occurs all across Maryland, although they prefer habitats that are open and wet – preferring habitats like wet meadows, cattail marshes, and other open habitats. If you’re looking for one of these birds, the good news is that they can be spotted almost everywhere!
  • In wintertime, they roost into the millions in large groups along roadsides and other open habitats.
  • The bird’s loud and jarring “conk-a-ree-onk” call can be heard all across Maryland, and they’re easy to identify thanks to their red wings and shiny black feathers.
  • If you’d like to attract Red-winged blackbirds to your backyard, try scattering some mixed grain and seeds on the ground or hanging a large tube feeder from a tree in your yard. They’ll also enjoy eating from platform feeders or large bird baths.

Song And Call

17. White-throated Sparrow

white0throated sparrow

Scientific Name: Zonotrichia albicollis  Size: 6.3-7.1 inches

The White-throated Sparrow is a small songbird that is native to the northern parts of America. The bird has an observation frequently in Maryland and is seen year-round.

The White-throated Sparrow has a black-and-white striped head, bright white throat, and yellow between the eye and bill. The back of it is brown, and underneath is gray.

The White-throated Sparrow is often found in large flocks on the ground or in trees near the edges of wooded areas. The bird breeds in Canada and migrates to other parts of the world.

Their diet consists of insects, seeds, and berries. will feed from seed on the ground. During the winter they will eat from your bird feeders and like black oil sunflower seeds and millet.

White-throated sparrows are very social birds and can be seen in large flocks during migration. They are migrating birds that breed in Canada, and head south in the fall.

They are migrating birds that breed in Canada and head south in the fall. often found in small groups in brushy areas of parks and fields. When they leave, Spring is on its way.

Song And Call

The song is “Oh Canada, Canada, Canada”.

18. Red-eyed Vireo

Scientific Name: Vireo olivaceus          Size: 4.7-5.1 inches

The Red-eyed Vireo is the size of a small sparrow that has a thick neck and a strong long bill with a hook at the tip. It gets its name from its red eyes when it is an adult. Younger birds will have dark eyes.

 It has white breasts with most of its body olive green with some yellow under the tail and flanks. It has a gray cap on its head with white above the eyes.

During the summer, Red-eyed Vireos mostly eat insects especially caterpillars (50%) of their diet). They also eat other insects such as moths, beetles, ants, and bees.

You will hear the red-eyed vireo before you see it, especially in summer as its body blends into the tree’s leaves. Look for them in Maples and trees with large leaves.

Red-eyed Vireos will sing all day long. You will see them in Virginia during the summer as they migrate south to Mexico and South America for the winter.

Although they like forests and woodlands, they can be found in cities, backyards of residential areas, and parks with larger trees.                                       

Song And Call

19. Northern Mockingbird

Scientific Name: Mimus polyglottos     Size: 10 inches

Mockingbird bodies are grayish brown with white wing bars, (2 on each wing). Their breasts are slightly paler (may look whiteish) than their bodies. Mockingbirds have small heads, long legs, and long thin bills.

Northern Mockingbirds will eat insects during the summertime and will switch to fruit and berries during the fall and winter.

The Northern Mockingbird is a common backyard bird in Maryland because it is not a migratory species and enjoys staying in the same area throughout its lifetime. They can be found all over the state. Common places to see them are along your fence, in trees, on scrubs, and on utility lines.

Song And Call

These birds are known for their beautiful songs.

20. American Crow

American Crow in a tree

Scientific Name: Corvus brachyrhynchos  Size: 15.8-20.9 inches

The American Crow is not a crow at all. It is a raven, but it has been called the “American Crow” for many years. This all-black bird has shiny feathers. The bill is also black with a hook on the end. The male is slightly glossier than the female.

The American Crow will eat just about anything including seeds, nuts, worms, and small animals such as mice as well as steal and eat eggs from other birds like robins, sparrows, loons, jays, and eiders. They will even eat garbage from the dumps.

These crows can be seen throughout the United States but differ in size by region. Eastern crows are the ones you will see in Ohio throughout the year and are larger than what you will see on the west coast. In Florida, the American Crow is smaller but has large feet. And the Northwestern Crow, once thought to be a different species are smaller with a deeper voice.

You will find these crows on lawns, open fields, woodlands, parking lots, and in towns as well as in cities.

The American Crow is an aggressive bird that will chase many large birds like eagles and hawks. Many times you will see them in flocks of up to 1000 birds.

Song And Call

21. Common Grackle

common grackle

Scientific Name: Quiscalus quiscula  Size: 11.0-15.4 inches

The Common Grackle is part of the blackbird family and all blackbirds have iridescent feathers (usually dark blue or purple). They are often found in large flocks during the summer months.

Grackles are often mistaken for crows, but they are much smaller in size and can be distinguished by their long tails and shiny black feathers. They have yellow eyes and their size is larger than a robin.

The Common Grackle’s habitat includes open woodlands, marshes, parks, and fields. To attract more Common Grackles to your backyard, feed them with mixed grains and seeds sprinkled on the ground or platform feeders.

Grackles are very intelligent birds that sometimes use their beaks to turn over rocks in search of insects. You will also find them find at farm fields where they will eat the seeds from corn and rice.

Grackles can be found throughout the United States in parks, yards, open fields, and woodlands. They are very adaptable birds that have learned to thrive in cities where they often find food and water.

The Common Grackle is an interesting backyard bird that will provide plenty of entertainment for nature lovers living in Maryland!

Song And Call

Grackles can also be heard making a wide range of calls that include whistles and rattling sounds.

22. Song Sparrow

Scientific Name: Melospiza melodia   Size: 4.7-6.7 inches

The Song Sparrow is a medium size bulky sparrow. Their mostly brown body has streaks of white/light gray throughout. It has a long rounded tail and broad wings.

It’s larger than a chipping sparrow but smaller than a dark-eyed junco.

It eats insects, seeds, and berries. They will come to your feeders for any kind of seeds or suet.

Song Sparrows are very common in Maryland. They can be found all over the state year-round.

Song And Call

The Song Sparrow has a song that sounds like “chink, chink.”

23. Indigo Bunting

MALE

Scientific Name: Passerina cyanea Size: 4.7-5.1 inches

The Indigo Bunting male is all blue with a silver bill and the female is brown with some white on her throat. Sometimes the females have some blue on their wings and immature males are a patchy blue with brown.

The indigo Bunting feels on small seeds, fruits, berries, and small insects. You can attract them to your backyard feeders when you use small seeds, especially thistle or nyjer.

The Indigo Bunting breeds in Maryland during the spring and summer months. You will see them in bushy areas along woods, forests, and backyards; they are usually alone. When they are ready to migrate south for the winter they form flocks and will travel together at night using the stars as guidance.

Song And Call

You can hear them singing as they are known for their whistling songs.

24. Eastern Bluebird

Eastern Bluebird
MALE

Scientific Name: Sialia sialis  Size: 6.3-8.3 inches

The Eastern Bluebird is a beautiful bird that is seen in many parts of the United States. It is a common backyard bird in Maryland.

The Eastern Bluebird has blue wings, a head and upper parts, and an orange-brown collar around its neck. Eastern Bluebirds are small, round birds with a deep blue back and a reddish underside.

Their diet mainly consists of small fruits, berries, seeds, and worms. Eastern Bluebirds can be attracted to your backyard by offering mealworms and nest boxes.

Song And Call

25. House Sparrow

The House Sparrow is a small bird that can be found all over the world. In Maryland, it is seen year-round and has a thick fat belly. The females and young House Sparrows are pale brown and grey, while the males have more black and brown markings. The House Sparrow is a small, human-friendly bird that frequents bird feeders.

The House Sparrow is a small, human-friendly bird that frequents bird feeders. It is attracted to urban and suburban areas with plenty of food sources. It is often seen eating seeds, grains, insects, and small vertebrates. The House Sparrow is not a migratory bird species but remains in its territory year-round.

Song And Call

26. Northern Flicker

Northern Flicker

Scientific Name: Colaptes auratus  Size: 11.0-12.2 inches

The Northern Flicker male and female are similar in color. They both have a rounded head, the bill is curved down and the tail tapers to a long point.

Although the same bird their colors differ from the eastern United States (bright yellow wing and tail feathers) and the western US (red wing and tail feathers).

The Northern Flicker is also known as “the woodpecker that doesn’t peck wood.” Instead, it gleans insects from the bark of trees.

Northern Flickers mostly will eat insects that they get from the ground. They will “drum” at the ground as other woodpeckers drum in trees and wood. During the winter months, they will also eat fruits and seeds.

These are beautiful woodpeckers. They may also stop in at your suet and peanut feeders, but most likely you’ll see them nesting in old trees.

You will see Northern Flickers in city parks and backyards in the suburbs. You will also find them in woodlands with open trees, burned forests, swamps, and marshes.

Call

The Northern Flicker has a wide range of calls. It has a typical woodpecker-like “drum” and a more musical, gurgling call that is often mistaken for the song of the Red-winged Blackbird.

Drumming

27. Common Yellowthroat

Scientific Name: Geothlypis trichas  Size: 4.3-5.1 inches

The Common Yellowthroat is another small songbird that has a long tail and round belly. The males have a dark mask with a yellow throat while the females are browner on their heads with a yellow throat and they do not have any black on them.

Common Yellowthroats eat insects from the ground and off leaves, bushes, and flowers.

You will usually see them in dense forests but during migration, you will see them in your backyards. The Common Yellowthroat is included on the list of common backyard birds in Maryland because it is adaptable and can be found at different times of the year.

Song And Call

28. Ruby-throated Hummingbird

MALE

Scientific Name: Archilochus colibris  Size: 3.8 inches

The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is a small bird that is common in the summer in gardens and woodland edges. The bird has a unique wingbeat that can be heard when it is flying. The bird can be found at nectar feeders and sometimes in towns. They are easy to attract to your backyard with homemade nectar.

The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is bright green on the back and crown, with a gray-white underside, and males, have an iridescent red throat.

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds migrate south over the Gulf of Mexico or through Texas to Central America for winter. Male Ruby-throated Hummingbirds can be aggressive in their defense of flowers and feeders, and they may migrate by early August.

Everyone loves to see hummingbirds in their backyards. The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is the most common species of hummingbird in the United States and Maryland.

Call

Wingbeat

29. Eastern Kingbird

Scientific Name: Tyrannus tyrannus Size: 7.5-9.1 inches

The Eastern Kingbird has a blackish top with white below. It has a square tail with a white tip. It has a big head, a short straight bill, and an upright posture.

Eastern Kingbirds eat insects in summer. They can even catch them when flying. They will come to your backyard especially if you have lots of flying insects and open yards with nearby trees. During late summer and early fall, they will be attracted to your backyards especially those with berry brushes.

The Eastern Kingbird breeds in Maryland so you can see them in the summer and early fall. During this time you are most likely to see them alone. During migration and in the winter they travel in flocks. They spend their winters in the Amazon.

song and call

30. Chipping Sparrow

Scientific Name: Spizella passerina  Size: 4.7-5.9 inches

Chipping sparrows are small brown sparrows with plain breasts and long tails. There is a difference between breeding and non-breeding birds. The breeding birds have a reddish cap and a white brow with dark eye lines. The non-breeding has a brown cap, duller dirty gray breast, a dark eye line, and a grayish rump.

The chipping sparrow diet consists of seeds, insects, and spiders. Occasional visitors to your suet and black-oil sunflower seed feeder.

The chipping sparrow is a common bird in the Eastern United States and Canada. It has been spotted as far west as Texas and California.

The Chipping Sparrow is included as one of the common backyard birds in Maryland due to its prevalence during the breeding season, from April to November.

You will find them in the woods, especially where there are pine trees. Other common places to see them are on backyards lawns, in cities, towns, and farms. During the fall and winter, you will often see them in flocks.

Song And Call

The chipping sparrow has two calls: a sharp chip and a long, high-pitched trill. The song is more of a rattle.

31. Eastern Towhee

eastern towhee

Scientific Name: Pipilo erythrophthalmus Size:  6.8-8.2 inches

The male has a black head, throat and underparts, reddish-brown sides, and a white belly. The Eastern Towhee also has a long tail and white on its wings especially seen when flying. The female looks basically the same except she has brown whereas the male is black.

The Eastern Towhee eats fruits, seeds, and insects. They will likely visit your feeders but will take the seed which has fallen to the ground. They are very likely to visit your backyard with you a lot of brush and shrubs.

These year-round birds in Maryland can be seen on the edges of forests, brushy woodlands, and bushing backyards. Their main area where you can see them is dense scrub cover and leafy areas to scratch around in.

Song And Call

32. Brown-headed Cowbird

MALE

Scientific Name: Molothrus ater                Size: 7.5 inches

Chunky, dark-eyed blackbird with short tails and thick bills.  Adult males are glossy black with iridescent brown heads.  Females are brown with light streaks on the belly.

Seeds, grasses, and insects make up most of the Brown-headed Cowbird’s diet. Females add snails and eggs from nests they parasitize; they need the extra calcium because they lay so many of their own eggs in other birds’ nests.

Brown-headed Cowbirds will come to feeders, usually with Red-winged Blackbirds, Common Grackles, and European Starlings that sometimes overwhelm household feeders.

Brown- Cowbirds can be found pretty much everywhere but not in heavy forests. They got their name by foraging among herds of grazing buffalo and cattle.

In Winter, Brown-headed Cowbirds can be found among the large flocks of Red-winged Blackbirds, Common Grackles, and European Starlings.

Song And Call

33. Pileated Woodpecker

Scientific Name: Dryocopus pileatus                                       Size: 16.5 inches

The Pileated Woodpecker is a large, striking bird native to Maryland. It is the largest woodpecker in North America with an all-black body with white stripes down a long neck and a bright red crest on top of the head. White under-wing and white wing patches are easily seen in flight.

Pileated Woodpeckers fly in fairly straight lines, unlike other woodpecker species, who fly in undulating lines.

These are noisy, loud woodpeckers. Their drum is slow and powerful, accelerates, and then trails off, not more than two times a minute.

They really like Carpenter Ants, so they’re often found foraging at the bottoms of dead trees or on fallen logs.

Likes mature hardwood forests and open woodlands. Pileated Woodpeckers look for dead trees and logs, which offer food and a nest cavity.

Pileated Woodpecker holes are rectangular rather than round or oval like other woodpeckers, and they are deep enough to break smaller trees in half.

Call

drumming