Maryland State Bird
Baltimore Oriole

• Official Maryland State Bird: Baltimore Oriole
• Family: Icteridae, Blackbirds
• Scientific name: Icterus galbula
• Length: 8.25" (22 cm)
• Diet: Insects, fruit nectar, few spiders, snails; some buds in spring.
• Voice: Song a short series of rich, clear, whistled notes pidoo tewdi tewdi yewdi tew tidew; variable in pattern, with pauses between each phrase; often gives simple two-note whistle hulee and variations. Call a dry, harsh, uneven rattle. Flight call a husky, tinny, trumpeting veeet.
• Habitat: Deciduous, open woodland; elms, shade trees.
• Displays: Courting male rises to full height, bows low to female with tail spread and wings slightly raised; alternates between these two postures.
• Number of broods: 1
• Nest: In deciduous tree, usually 15-30' above ground, rarely in coniferous tree; pendulum nest attached at rim or secured at sides to drooping branch; woven of plant fiber strips, lined with grass, plant down, hair. Built in 4.5-15 days.
• Eggs: Averages 4-5 pale grayish- to bluish-white eggs, marked with dark colors. 0.9" (23 mm).
• Incubation period: 12-14 days
• Fledge: 12-14 days after hatching
• Longevity Record: 11 Years and 7 months (according to USGS Bird Banding Lab) 

The Baltimore Oriole has been the Maryland State Bird since 1947. In 1894, Baltimore's major league baseball team was named after the bird.

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