29 Birds That Spend Their Winters in Maryland

While Maryland has many resident birds that can be seen all year, others only make their home in the state for part of the year. Some birds just spend their summer breeding season in Maryland, then in autumn migrate back down south for the winter. However, for other birds that breed further north, Maryland is their southern winter home! Many shorebirds also make Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay region and Atlantic Ocean coast their winter home.

For most of these species, migration into Maryland is a reliable annual event. However, others are irruptive migrators whose movements vary based on food availability. For those species, irruptions into Maryland vary from year to year in both range and numbers.

Here are 29 birds that usually call Maryland home only during the winter months, and where and when you can expect to see them.

1. American Coot (Fulica americana)

The American coot migrates across the state in autumn but only overwinters in open waters in the greater Chesapeake Bay region.

2. Black-Bellied Plover (Pluvialis squatarola)

The black-bellied plover migrates across the state in autumn but only overwinters in the coastal areas.

3. Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola)

The bufflehead overwinters in ponds, lakes, and rivers across all but the extreme northwest corner of the state.

4. Canvasback (Aythya valisineria)

The canvasback migrates across the state in autumn but only overwinters in ponds, lakes, and rivers in the eastern half of the state.

5. Common Loon (Gavia immer)

The common loon migrates across the state in autumn but only overwinters in the coastal areas.

6. Common Merganser (Mergus merganser)

The common merganser overwinters in open water, especially large rivers, across the state.

7. Dunlin (Calidris alpina)

The dunlin overwinters in the greater Chesapeake Bay region.

8. Evening Grosbeak (Coccothraustes vespertinus)

The evening grosbeak is an irruptive migrator that may invade the state during the winter. It will also visit seed feeders.

9. Greater Yellowlegs (Tringa melanoleuca)

The greater yellowlegs overwinters in the state’s coastal areas.

10. Green-Winged Teal (Anas carolinensis)

The green-winged teal migrates across the state in autumn but only overwinters in shallow wetlands and coastal marshes in the eastern half of the state.

11. Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis)

The lesser scaup migrates across the state in autumn but only overwinters in lakes, ponds, and coastal waters in the eastern half of the state.

12. Marbled Godwit (Limosa fedoa)

The marbled godwit can be seen across all but the westernmost region of the state during autumn migration but only overwinters in the coastal areas.

13. Northern Pintail (Anas acuta)

The northern pintail migrates across the state in autumn but only overwinters in the greater Chesapeake Bay region.

14. Northern Shoveler (Spatula clypeata)

The northern shoveler migrates across the state in autumn but only overwinters in ponds, small lakes, and shallow wetlands in the greater Chesapeake Bay region.

15. Palm Warbler (Setophaga palmarum)

The palm warbler migrates across the state in autumn but only overwinters in the southeastern corner of the state.

16. Pine Siskin (Spinus pinus)

The pine siskin is an irruptive migrator that in heavy invasion years can be found across the state during the winter. It will also visit seed feeders.

17. Redhead (Aythya americana)

The redhead migrates across the state in autumn but only overwinters in large bodies of water in the greater Chesapeake Bay region.

18. Ring-Billed Gull (Larus delawarensis)

The ring-billed gull migrates across the state in autumn but only overwinters in the greater Chesapeake Bay region.

19. Ring-Necked Duck (Aythya collaris)

The ring-necked duck migrates across the state in autumn but only overwinters in the eastern half of the state, most commonly in larger lakes.

20. Ruby-Crowned Kinglet (Corthylio calendula)

The ruby-crowned kinglet migrates across the state in autumn but only overwinters in the greater Chesapeake Bay region.

21. Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres)

The ruddy turnstone overwinters in the state’s coastal areas.

22. Sanderling (Calidris alba)

The sanderling overwinters in the state’s coastal areas.

23. Semipalmated Plover (Charadrius semipalmatus)

The semipalmated plover migrates across the state in autumn but only overwinters in the coastal areas, primarily along the Atlantic coast.

24. Short-Billed Dowitcher (Limnodromus griseus)

The short-billed dowitcher overwinters in the state’s coastal areas.

25. Snow Goose (Anser caerulescens)

The snow goose migrates across the state in autumn but only overwinters in the greater Chesapeake Bay region.

26. Tundra Swan (Cygnus columbianus)

The tundra swan overwinters in open bodies of water in all but the westernmost region of the state.

27. Western Sandpiper (Calidris mauri)

The western sandpiper overwinters in the state’s coastal areas.

28. White-Throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis)

The white-throated sparrow overwinters across the state. It will also visit ground feeders.

29. Yellow-Rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata)

The yellow-rumped warbler overwinters in all but the westernmost region of the state. It is more common along the coast.

Summary of 29 Birds That Spend Their Winters in Maryland

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