The piping plover is native to Maryland.
Maryland is home to the Chesapeake Bay and Cunningham Falls State Park, which are habitats for many of the state's birds. The diversity of birds in Maryland includes birds of prey, scavengers, wetland birds and songbirds. Maryland's Department of Natural Resources tracks the state's bird populations for their protection and survival.
Birds of Prey
The national bird of the United States, the bald eagle, is a native resident of Maryland. Others include the red-tailed hawk, golden eagle, Mississippi kite, northern harrier and sharp-shinned hawk. Birds of prey are carnivorous and feed on small mammals, fish and reptiles. They have four talons and powerful hook-shaped beaks. They also have sharp eyesight and are able to spot their prey from hundreds of feet in the air.
Wetlands
The Chesapeake Bay, Potomac River and Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge are home to a variety of wetland birds. Some found in Maryland's wetlands include the great blue heron, wood duck, northern gannet and the roseate spoonbill. Maryland is also home to wetland birds in the Atlantic Ocean. These bird species spend most of their time swimming and nesting on lake shores and riparian areas -- the area surrounding rivers. Many wetland birds in Maryland are omnivorous; their diet consists of plants, invertebrates and small fish. Maryland birds with larger beaks - wood storks, brown pelicans and great egrets - dip their bills in the water to catch fish.
Endangered
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources classify some of the state's birds as endangered. These include the American bald eagle, Bewick's wren, black skimmer, Maryland darter, northern goshawk and saw-whet owl. The birds on Maryland's DNR list may be endangered in Maryland, but does not necessarily mean they are endangered in other states. To protect these birds, the Maryland DNR offers the Wildlife Heritage Service Natural Heritage Program, which monitors the populations of Maryland's endangered species. This program also raises awareness for species that are close to endangered status.
Woodland
Many of Maryland's birds dwell in the state's woodland areas, and these include the brown creeper, Carolina chickadee, Vermillion flycatcher, blue jay, red-headed woodpecker and whip-poor-will. These bird species dwell in the canopies of forests throughout Maryland, such as Cunningham Falls State Park, Union Mills Homestead Park, Parker Conservation Area and Bynum Run Conservation Area. For nesting, woodland birds place their nests on tree branches or inside tree trunks. Some woodland birds are also known as songbirds due to their melodious chirps.
Tags: birds Maryland, wetland birds, bald eagle, bird species, Conservation Area