This list of birds of Maryland includes species credibly documented in the U.S. state of Maryland and accepted by the Maryland / District of Columbia Records Committee (MRC) of the Maryland Ornithological Society as of 2022. There are 456 species included in the official list. Eight additional species of questionable origin and two of exotic origin per the MRC are also included in this page. Of the 460 species, 121 are rare anywhere in the state, 64 are rare in some part of the state, six have been introduced to North America, two are extinct, and two have been extirpated. Three additional accidental species have been added from different sources.
This list is presented in the taxonomic sequence of the Check-list of North and Middle American Birds, 7th edition through the 62nd Supplement, published by the American Ornithological Society (AOS). Common and scientific names are also those of the Check-list, except that the common names of families are from the Clements taxonomy because the AOS list does not include them.
Unless otherwise noted, all species listed below are considered to occur regularly in Maryland as permanent residents, summer or winter visitors, or migrants. The following tags are used to annotate some species:
(R) Rare - "Reviewable if found anywhere in Maryland" per the MRC (R*) Rare (limited area) - "Reviewable if found in certain specified ranges in Maryland" per the MRC (QO) Questionable origin - "Accepted species that may or may not be wild or naturally occurring" per the MRC (EO) Exotic origin - "Accepted species whose natural history precludes wild or natural occurrence" per the MRC (I) Introduced - a species that has been introduced to North America by the actions of humans, either directly or indirectly (Xt) Extinct - a recent species that no longer exists (Xp) Extirpated wild - a natural or wild species which is no longer found in Maryland, but still exists elsewhere (Xx) Extirpated exotic - a formerly established introduced species which no longer occurs in Maryland
Ducks, geese, and waterfowl
Order: AnseriformesFamily: Anatidae
The family Anatidae includes the ducks and most duck-like waterfowl, such as geese and swans. These birds are adapted to an aquatic existence with webbed feet, bills that are flattened to a greater or lesser extent, and feathers that are excellent at shedding water due to special oils. Forty-six confirmed species, two of questionable origin, and one of exotic origin have been recorded in Maryland.
Black-bellied whistling-duck, Dendrocygna autumnalis (R) Fulvous whistling-duck, Dendrocygna bicolor (R) Snow goose, Anser caerulescens Ross's goose, Anser rossii Greater white-fronted goose, Anser albifrons Pink-footed goose, Anser brachyrhynchus (R) Brant, Branta bernicla (R*) Barnacle goose, Branta leucopsis (R) Cackling goose, Branta hutchinsii Canada goose, Branta canadensis Mute swan, Cygnus olor (I) Black swan, Cygnus atratus (EO) (not on the AOS Check-list; scientific name and placement are per Clements)Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, D. Roberson, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2016. The eBird/Clements Checklist of Birds of the World: v2016. Downloaded from https://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/ retrieved 11 August 2016. Trumpeter swan, Cygnus buccinator (Xp) Tundra swan, Cygnus columbianus Wood duck, Aix sponsa Baikal teal, Sibirionetta formosa (QO) Blue-winged teal, Spatula discors Cinnamon teal, Spatula cyanoptera (R) Northern shoveler, Spatula clypeata Gadwall, Mareca strepera Falcated duck, Mareca falcata (QO) Eurasian wigeon, Mareca penelope American wigeon, Mareca americana Mallard, Anas platyrhynchos Mottled duck, Anas fulvigula (R) American black duck, Anas rubripes Northern pintail, Anas acuta Green-winged teal, Anas crecca Canvasback, Aythya valisineria Redhead, Aythya americana Ring-necked duck, Aythya collaris Tufted duck, Aythya fuligula (R) Greater scaup, Aythya marila Lesser scaup, Aythya affinis King eider, Somateria spectabilis (R*) Common eider, Somateria mollissima (R*) Harlequin duck, Histrionicus histrionicus (R*) Surf scoter, Melanitta perspicillata White-winged scoter, Melanitta deglandi Black scoter, Melanitta americana Long-tailed duck, Clangula hyemalis Bufflehead, Bucephala albeola Common goldeneye, Bucephala clangula Barrow's goldeneye, Bucephala clangula (R) Hooded merganser, Lophodytes cucullatus Common merganser, Mergus merganser Red-breasted merganser, Mergus serrator Masked duck, Nomonyx dominicus (R) Ruddy duck, Oxyura jamaicensis
New World quail Order: GalliformesFamily: Odontophoridae
The New World quails are small, plump terrestrial birds only distantly related to the Old World quails, but named for their similar appearance and habits. One confirmed species and one of questionable origin have been recorded in Maryland.
Northern bobwhite, Colinus virginianus Callipepla species, Callipepla sp. (QO)
Pheasants, grouse, and allies
Order: GalliformesFamily: Phasianidae
Phasianidae consists of the pheasants and their allies. These are terrestrial species, variable in size but generally plump with broad relatively short wings. Many species are gamebirds or have been domesticated as a food source for humans. Turkeys have a distinctive fleshy wattle that hangs from the underside of the beak and a fleshy protuberance that hangs from the top of its beak called a snood. As with many galliform species, the female (the hen) is smaller and much less colorful than the male (the tom). With wingspans of , the turkeys are the largest birds in the open forests in which they live and are rarely mistaken for any other species. Grouse inhabit temperate and subarctic regions of the Northern Hemisphere. In all of Maryland's species, males are polygamous and have elaborate courtship displays. These heavily built birds have legs feathered to the toes. Most species are year-round residents and do not migrate. Four species of Phasianidae have been recorded in Maryland.
Wild turkey, Meleagris gallopavo Ruffed grouse, Bonasa umbellus (R*) Greater prairie-chicken, Tympanuchus cupido (Xp) Heath hen, T. c. cupido (Xt) Ring-necked pheasant, Phasianus colchicus (I) (Xx)
Flamingoes Order: PhoenicopteriformesFamily: Phoenicopteridae
Flamingoes are gregarious wading birds, usually in height, found in both the Western and Eastern Hemispheres. Flamingos filter-feed on shellfish and algae. Their oddly shaped beaks are specially adapted to separate mud and silt from the food they consume and, uniquely, are used upside-down. One species has been recorded in Maryland.
American flamingo, Phoenicopterus ruber (R)
Grebes
Order: PodicipediformesFamily: Podicipedidae
Grebes are small to medium-large freshwater diving birds. They have lobed toes and are excellent swimmers and divers. However, they have their feet placed far back on the body, making them quite ungainly on land. Five species have been recorded in Maryland.
Pied-billed grebe, Podilymbus podiceps Horned grebe, Podiceps auritus Red-necked grebe, Podiceps grisegena Eared grebe, Podiceps nigricollis Western grebe, Aechmorphorus occidentalis (R)
Pigeons and doves
Order: ColumbiformesFamily: Columbidae
Pigeons and doves are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere. Seven species have been recorded in Maryland.
Rock pigeon, Columba livia (I) Eurasian collared-dove, Streptopelia decaocto (R) (I) Passenger pigeon, Ectopistes migratorius (Xt) Inca dove, Columbina inca (R) Common ground dove, Columbina passerina (R) White-winged dove, Zenaida asiatica (R) Mourning dove, Zenaida macroura
Cuckoos
Order: CuculiformesFamily: Cuculidae
The family Cuculidae includes cuckoos, roadrunners, and anis. These birds are of variable size with slender bodies, long tails, and strong legs. Three species have been recorded in Maryland.
Groove-billed ani, Crotophaga sulcirostris (R) Yellow-billed cuckoo, Coccyzus americanus Black-billed cuckoo, Coccyzus erythropthalmus
Nightjars and allies
Order: CaprimulgiformesFamily: Caprimulgidae
Nightjars are medium-sized nocturnal birds that usually nest on the ground. They have long wings, short legs, and very short bills. Most have small feet that are of little use for walking and long, pointed wings. Their soft plumage is cryptically colored to resemble bark or leaves. Three species have been recorded in Maryland.
Common nighthawk, Chordeiles minor Chuck-will's-widow, Antrostomus carolinensis Eastern whip-poor-will, Antrostomus vociferus
Swifts Order: ApodiformesFamily: Apodidae
The swifts are small birds which spend the majority of their lives flying. These birds have very short legs and never settle voluntarily on the ground, perching instead only on vertical surfaces. Many swifts have long swept-back wings which resemble a crescent or boomerang. One species has been recorded in Maryland.
Chimney swift, Chaetura pelagica
Hummingbirds
Order: ApodiformesFamily: Trochilidae
Hummingbirds are small birds capable of hovering in mid-air due to the rapid flapping of their wings. They are the only birds that can fly backwards. Seven species have been recorded in Maryland.
Mexican violetear, Colibri thalassinus (R) Ruby-throated hummingbird, Archilochus colubris Black-chinned hummingbird, Archilochus alexandri (R) Anna's hummingbird, Calypte anna (R) Calliope hummingbird, Selasphorus calliope (R) Rufous hummingbird, Selasphorus rufus Allen's hummingbird, Selasphorus sasin (R)
Rails, gallinules, and coots
Order: GruiformesFamily: Rallidae
Rallidae is a large family of small- to medium-sized birds that includes the rails, crakes, coots, and gallinules. The most typical family members occupy dense vegetation in damp environments near lakes, swamps, or rivers. In general they are shy and secretive birds, making them difficult to observe. Most species have strong legs and long toes that are well adapted to soft uneven surfaces. They tend to have short, rounded wings and to be weak fliers. Ten species have been recorded in Maryland.
Clapper rail, Rallus crepitans (R*) King rail, Rallus elegans (R*) Virginia rail, Rallus limicola Corn crake, Crex crex (R) Sora, Porzana carolina Common gallinule, Gallinula galeata American coot, Fulica americana Purple gallinule, Porphyrio martinicus (R) Yellow rail, Coturnicops noveboracensis (R) Black rail, Laterallus jamaicensis (R*)
Limpkin Order: GruiformesFamily: Aramidae
The Limpkin is a large bird in a monotypic family. It is similar in appearance to the rails, but skeletally it is closer to the cranes. It is found in marshes and gets its common name from its appearance of limping as it walks.
Limpkin, Aramus guarauna (R)
Cranes Order: GruiformesFamily: Gruidae
Cranes are large, long-legged, and long-necked birds. Unlike the similar-looking but unrelated herons, cranes fly with necks outstretched, not pulled back. Most have elaborate and noisy courting displays or "dances". One species has been recorded in Maryland.
Sandhill crane, Antigone canadensis
Stilts and avocets Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Recurvirostridae
Recurvirostridae is a family of large wading birds that includes the avocets and stilts. The avocets have long legs and long up-curved bills. The stilts have extremely long legs and long, thin, straight bills. Two species have been recorded in Maryland.
Black-necked stilt, Himantopus mexicanus (R*) American avocet, Recurvirostra americana
Oystercatchers
Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Haematopodidae
The oystercatchers are large and noisy plover-like birds, with strong bills used for smashing or prying open molluscs. One species has been recorded in Maryland.
American oystercatcher, Haematopus palliatus (R*)
Plovers and lapwings Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Charadriidae