Maryland State Bird

Baltimore Oriole (icterid blackbird)

(Icterus galbula)

Adopted in 1947.

The Baltimore Oriole, Icterus galbula, is the official Maryland state bird (Chapter 54, Acts of 1947; Code State Government Article, sec. 13-302). Special provisions have been made for its protection. The Baltimore Oriole's (a small icterid blackbird) feathers are black and gold, the same colors as in the Calvert family shield.

Description of the Maryland State Bird: Baltimore Oriole

The female oriole's feathers are brownish-olive and dull orange, but the male's plumage is black and golden orange not unlike colors in the Calvert shield. This similarity led to its early association with the name of the Maryland proprietor. In 1698, "Baltemore Birds" were among the "Beasts of Curiosity" ordered sent from Maryland to grace the royal gardens (Archives of Maryland 23:455-56). In 1894, Baltimore's major league baseball team was named after the bird.

The Baltimore Oriole, Icterus galbula, is a small icterid blackbird which is on the average

• Length: 6.5 inches
• Sharply-pointed bill

Male

• Black head, back, wings and tail
• Orange underparts, shoulder, and rump
• Orange tips to outer tail feathers
• White wing bar and edges
• Immature male similar to female but brighter orange with variable amounts of black on head

Female

• Brownish-gray upperparts
• Dull yellowish-orange breast and undertail coverts
• Gray belly
• Two wing bars

History:

Maryland made special provisions to protect the Baltimore Oriole in 1882 (Chapter 154, Acts of 1882). Since passage of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, the Baltimore Oriole is protected by federal law covering all migratory bird species, and, since 1975, by the State's Nongame and Endangered Species Conservation Act (Chapter 27, Acts of 1975).

Despite its special status, since 1966 (and more rapidly after 1980) the number of Baltimore Orioles has been declining. The loss is attributed to destruction of breeding habitat and tropical winter habitat, and toxic pesticides ingested by the insects which constitute the Oriole's main diet.

In the late 1930s, Hoagy Carmichael composed the song, "Baltimore Oriole," lyrics by Paul Francis Webster.

Statute

Maryland Statutes, State Government, Title 13, Subtitle 3, Section 13-302.

STATE GOVERNMMENT
TITLE 13. EMBLEMS; COMMEMORATIVE DAYS; MANUAL.
SUBTITLE 3. ADDITIONAL EMBLEMS; DESIGNATIONS

§ 13-302.

The Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula) is the State bird.

Taxonomic Hierarchy of the Baltimore Oriole