Maryland designated the Baltimore oriole (Icterus galbula) as the official state bird in 1947. The Baltimore oriole is a distinctive inhabitant of Maryland's parks and suburban areas and Maryland birders eagerly await this medium songbird's migration each spring.

The female Baltimore oriole's feathers are brownish-olive and dull orange, but the male's plumage is black and a brilliant golden- orange, not unlike colors in the Calvert shield (see Maryland state seal and state flag). From Maryland at a Glance:

"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 Orioles).

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 Baltimore Oriole's main diet. "

Source:

State Bird - Baltimore Oriole: Maryland at a Glance
Baltimore oriole photo © Brian Jorg / CritterZone:
Animal - Wildlife - Nature Stock Photography
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Links:

All State Birds - National Bird