Maryland State Bird
Baltimore Oriole

  • Official Maryland State Bird: Baltimore Oriole
  • Family: Icteridae, Blackbirds
  • Scientific name: Icterus galbula
  • Length: 8.25" (22 cm)Baltimore Oriole
  • Diet: Insects, fruit nectar, few spiders, snails; some buds in spring.
  • Voice: Listen to Baltimore Oriole song. (recorded by Cornell Lab of Ornithology)
    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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