Pair of ospreys on St.George Island
BC Petrie Photography

Maryland Birding

Situated in the geographic middle of the Atlantic Flyway, Maryland is a bird-watchers paradise. Here are some ideas for making the most of your birding experience here.

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Pair of ospreys on St.George Island
BC Petrie Photography

In Maryland, we love our birds! From our major league baseball and football teams, the Orioles and Ravens, to the literary genius of Baltimore’s Edgar Allan Poe, to wildfowl art in our museums, birds are woven into the very fabric of Maryland heritage and pride. Check out these amazing Maryland birding tips below, and download our free Guide to Birding in Maryland  here.

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Top 12 Iconic Maryland Birds
Baltimore Oriole
Hanna McBrearty USFWS - wikimedia

While we care for all birds, great and small, in the Free State, we’ve selected 10 avian ambassadors that are iconic Maryland species. While this list is certainly open for debate, we don’t think any birder can argue that these 12 birds are some of our favorites to find when we’re exploring Maryland with binoculars.

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Top 10 Maryland Birding Experiences
Baltimore Orioles in tree
Eric Nie/Audubon Photography Awards

Maryland’s wild areas set the stage for many dramatic avian displays, and each season delivers its own untamed theater of bird migration, courtship, nesting, and winter survival.

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Top 10 Maryland Birding Events
man with binoculars and camera
Audubon Baltimore Birding Weekend

Maryland welcomes wildlife watchers and photographers from across the U.S. and around the globe to experience world-class birding in a variety of easily-accessible habitats. For travelers looking for a weekend or more of birding adventure, including internationally-acclaimed wildfowl art events. 

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Top 10 Maryland Birding Outfitters
Birdwatchers
Audubon Naturalist Society

If you’re new to birding or to exploring Maryland’s wildlife watching hotspots, our birding community welcomes you to join in and make new friends. Many of our local bird clubs, nature centers and conservation partners lead regular bird hikes all across the state.

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Birding Near Waterside Bars
Deck of Island View Waterfront Cafe
Island View Waterfront Cafe

For those of us who enjoy a craft beer, Maryland wine or tasty cocktail while watching our feathered friends, Maryland’s shorelines are also dotted with dozens of crab houses, dock bars and resorts! Some of the best birding in the state can be found from the decks of these watering holes. We encourage you to pack your binoculars and spotting scope, grab a few birding buddies, and enjoy a drink while you watch our wildlife from these lake and bayside bars!

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Plan Your Birding Experience in Maryland Now
Eagle
Allen Sklar - VisitWorcester.org

Consider turning your trip into a real adventure by exploring one of our Scenic Byways.

Get Your Free Guide to Birding in Maryland

Guide To Birding In Maryland 2023

Make like Maryland's iconic brown pelicans and take a deeper dive into Maryland's birding scene with our free Guide to Birding in Maryland. With maps, seasonal info, and insights into how to spot some of the Old Line State's hardest-to-find feathery friends, it's a must for beginners and seasoned birders alike. And did we mention it's free?