Maryland sits on the Atlantic Flyway with the Chesapeake Bay at its centre. The state packs coastal marshes, piedmont forests, and Appalachian highlands into a small area, giving it both coastal migrants and mountain-dwelling species with orange plumage.
Orange Birds Found in Maryland
| Species | Orange feature | When to see | Habitat |
|---|
| Baltimore Oriole | Bright orange breast, belly, and shoulders | Spring and summer | Forest edges, parks, suburbs |
| Orchard Oriole | Deep rusty-orange underparts (male) | Spring and summer | Open woodlands, orchards |
| Scarlet Tanager | Males bright red (can appear orange) | Spring and summer | Mature deciduous forests |
| American Robin | Orange-red breast | Year-round | Lawns, parks, woodlands |
| Eastern Towhee | Rufous-orange flanks | Year-round | Dense undergrowth, thickets |
| American Redstart | Orange patches on wings and tail (male) | Spring and summer | Moist deciduous woods |
| Barn Swallow | Orange-buff underparts | Spring and summer | Open fields, near structures |
| Northern Flicker | Orange under wings (yellow-shafted) | Year-round | Open woodlands, suburbs |
| Red-bellied Woodpecker | Faint orange wash on belly | Year-round | Deciduous forests, suburbs |
| American Kestrel | Rusty-orange back and tail (male) | Year-round | Open country, grasslands |
Best Birding Spots
| Location | Best species |
|---|
| Blackwater NWR | Waterfowl, eagles, marsh species |
| Assateague Island | Shorebirds, coastal migrants, raptors |
| Catoctin Mountain Park | Warblers, tanagers, forest birds |
| Patuxent Research Refuge | Songbirds, waterfowl, raptors |
| Hart-Miller Island | Shorebirds, terns, waterfowl |
Seasonal Guide
| Season | What to expect |
|---|
| Spring | Orioles arrive May, warbler migration along the Bay |
| Summer | Breeding season, all orange species present |
| Autumn | Hawk migration, shorebirds, southbound songbirds |
| Winter | Robins, woodpeckers, kestrels, waterfowl on the Bay |
The Baltimore Oriole is Maryland’s state bird - named for Lord Baltimore’s heraldic colours of orange and black. The Chesapeake Bay region is one of the most important birding areas on the East Coast, with Blackwater NWR alone hosting over 250 species.
