Birds to See in Maryland in December
127 bird species on our list for Maryland are recorded regularly in December
Of these, the most often recorded are Northern Cardinal, American Crow, Canada Goose, Downy Woodpecker and Blue Jay. New this month: Razorbill, Little Auk, Grey Phalarope and Kittiwake and 3 more.
On the move in December
GBIF · DecArriving
At their peak
From Maryland’s bird records, 2019–2024: arriving birds are regular this month but not last; leaving birds are regular this month but not next.
Other months
All 127 birds in December
127 birds
Northern CardinalCardinalis cardinalisResidentCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 3.96% in Dec
American CrowCorvus brachyrhynchosResidentCommon41–53 cmRecorded all year · 3.13% in Dec
Canada GooseBranta canadensisResidentCommon76–110 cmRecorded all year · 2.83% in Dec
Downy WoodpeckerDryobates pubescensResidentCommon14–18 cmRecorded all year · 2.82% in Dec
Blue JayCyanocitta cristataResidentCommon25–30 cmRecorded all year · 2.78% in Dec
Red-bellied WoodpeckerMelanerpes carolinusResidentCommon23–26 cmRecorded all year · 2.77% in Dec
Tufted TitmouseBaeolophus bicolorResidentCommon14–16 cmRecorded all year · 2.63% in Dec
Song SparrowMelospiza melodiaResidentCommon12–17 cmRecorded all year · 2.63% in Dec
White-breasted NuthatchSitta carolinensisResidentCommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 2.27% in Dec
Turkey VultureCathartes auraResidentCommon62–81 cmRecorded all year · 2.20% in Dec
American RobinTurdus migratoriusResidentCommon20–28 cmRecorded all year · 2.02% in Dec
Eastern BluebirdSialia sialisResidentCommon16–21 cmRecorded all year · 1.98% in Dec
MallardAnas platyrhynchosResidentCommon50–65 cmRecorded all year · 1.98% in Dec
Mourning DoveZenaida macrouraResidentCommon23–34 cmRecorded all year · 1.97% in Dec
Common StarlingSturnus vulgarisResidentCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 1.97% in Dec
Northern MockingbirdMimus polyglottosResidentCommon21–26 cmRecorded all year · 1.96% in Dec
House FinchHaemorhous mexicanusResidentCommon13–15 cmRecorded all year · 1.80% in Dec
Northern FlickerColaptes auratusResidentCommon28–31 cmRecorded all year · 1.78% in Dec
Ring-billed GullLarus delawarensisWinter visitorCommon43–54 cmRegularly Jul–May · 1.72% in Dec
Bald EagleHaliaeetus leucocephalusResidentCommon70–102 cmRecorded all year · 1.56% in Dec
Great Blue HeronArdea herodiasResidentCommon91–137 cmRecorded all year · 1.44% in Dec
House SparrowPasser domesticusResidentCommon14–17 cmRecorded all year · 1.43% in Dec
Red-winged BlackbirdAgelaius phoeniceusResidentCommon17–23 cmRecorded all year · 1.12% in Dec
Pileated WoodpeckerDryocopus pileatusResidentCommon40–49 cmRecorded all year · 1.00% in Dec
Yellow-bellied SapsuckerSphyrapicus variusWinter visitorCommon19–22 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.99% in Dec
Fish CrowCorvus ossifragusResidentCommon36–41 cmRecorded all year · 0.93% in Dec
Hooded MerganserLophodytes cucullatusWinter visitorCommon40–49 cmRegularly Nov–Apr · 0.88% in Dec
Yellow-rumped WarblerSetophaga coronataWinter visitorCommon12–15 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.88% in Dec
Hairy WoodpeckerLeuconotopicus villosusResidentCommon18–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.85% in Dec
American Herring GullLarus smithsonianusWinter visitorCommon53–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.84% in Dec
Hermit ThrushCatharus guttatusWinter visitorCommon14–18 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.79% in Dec
Ruby-crowned KingletCorthylio calendulaWinter visitorCommon9–11 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.78% in Dec
Red-tailed HawkButeo jamaicensisResidentCommon45–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.78% in Dec
Swamp SparrowMelospiza georgianaWinter visitorCommon12–15 cmRegularly Sep–Jun · 0.74% in Dec
Ruddy DuckOxyura jamaicensisWinter visitorCommon35–43 cmRegularly Aug–Apr · 0.61% in Dec
American Black DuckAnas rubripesWinter visitorCommon54–59 cmRecorded all year · 0.52% in Dec
Cedar WaxwingBombycilla cedrorumResidentCommon15–18 cmRecorded all year · 0.51% in Dec
Great Black-backed GullLarus marinusResidentCommon64–79 cmRecorded all year · 0.51% in Dec
Rock DoveColumba liviaResidentCommon29–37 cmRecorded all year · 0.50% in Dec
Tundra SwanCygnus columbianusWinter visitorCommon120–150 cmRegularly Nov–Mar · 0.43% in Dec
Pied-billed GrebePodilymbus podicepsWinter visitorUncommon31–38 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.40% in Dec
GadwallMareca streperaWinter visitorUncommon46–56 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.38% in Dec
Common LoonGavia immerWinter visitorUncommon66–91 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.36% in Dec
Common GrackleQuiscalus quisculaResidentCommon28–34 cmRecorded all year · 0.33% in Dec
Common MerganserMergus merganserWinter visitorCommon58–68 cmRegularly Nov–Aug · 0.31% in Dec
Common RavenCorvus coraxResidentUncommon54–67 cmRecorded all year · 0.31% in Dec
Fox SparrowPasserella iliacaWinter visitorUncommon15–19 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.30% in Dec
Surf ScoterMelanitta perspicillataWinter visitorUncommon48–60 cmRegularly Jul–Apr · 0.27% in Dec
Horned GrebePodiceps auritusWinter visitorUncommon31–38 cmRegularly Nov–Apr · 0.23% in Dec
Northern ShovelerSpatula clypeataWinter visitorUncommon44–51 cmRegularly Aug–Apr · 0.23% in Dec
Long-tailed DuckClangula hyemalisWinter visitorUncommon37–60 cmRegularly Nov–Apr · 0.22% in Dec
Northern PintailAnas acutaWinter visitorUncommon59–76 cmRegularly Sep–Mar · 0.20% in Dec
Chipping SparrowSpizella passerinaSummer visitorCommon12–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.20% in Dec
Eurasian TealAnas creccaWinter visitorUncommon34–38 cmRegularly Aug–Apr · 0.19% in Dec
Sharp-shinned HawkAccipiter striatusWinter visitorUncommon24–34 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.19% in Dec
Gray CatbirdDumetella carolinensisSummer visitorCommon20–24 cmRegularly Apr–Dec · 0.18% in Dec
Red-breasted MerganserMergus serratorWinter visitorUncommon52–58 cmRegularly Nov–May · 0.18% in Dec
Greater ScaupAythya marilaWinter visitorUncommon39–56 cmRegularly Nov–Apr · 0.17% in Dec
Snow GooseAnser caerulescensWinter visitorUncommon69–84 cmRegularly Nov–Mar · 0.16% in Dec
GoldeneyeBucephala clangulaWinter visitorUncommon40–51 cmRegularly Nov–Mar · 0.15% in Dec
Bonaparte's GullChroicocephalus philadelphiaWinter visitorUncommon28–38 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.13% in Dec
Great Horned OwlBubo virginianusWinter visitorUncommon46–63 cmRecorded all year · 0.13% in Dec
Horned LarkEremophila alpestrisResidentUncommon16–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.13% in Dec
Barred OwlStrix variaResidentUncommon43–50 cmRecorded all year · 0.12% in Dec
White-crowned SparrowZonotrichia leucophrysWinter visitorUncommon15–16 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.11% in Dec
Eastern Screech-owlMegascops asioResidentUncommon16–25 cmRecorded all year · 0.11% in Dec
Cackling GooseBranta hutchinsiiWinter visitorUncommon53–76 cmRegularly Oct–Mar · 0.11% in Dec
MerlinFalco columbariusWinter visitorUncommon24–33 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.10% in Dec
Northern GannetMorus bassanusWinter visitorUncommon87–100 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.10% in Dec
Wood DuckAix sponsaSummer visitorCommon47–54 cmRecorded all year · 0.10% in Dec
Red-throated LoonGavia stellataWinter visitorUncommon53–69 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.10% in Dec
DunlinCalidris alpinaWinter visitorUncommon16–22 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.09% in Dec
Pine SiskinSpinus pinusWinter visitorUncommon11–14 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.09% in Dec
SanderlingCalidris albaWinter visitorUncommon18–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.09% in Dec
Red-headed WoodpeckerMelanerpes erythrocephalusResidentUncommon19–23 cmRecorded all year · 0.08% in Dec
Wild TurkeyMeleagris gallopavoResidentUncommon100–125 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in Dec
Peregrine FalconFalco peregrinusWinter visitorUncommon34–58 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in Dec
American Tree SparrowSpizelloides arboreaWinter visitorUncommon14–17 cmRegularly Nov–Mar · 0.07% in Dec
Greater YellowlegsTringa melanoleucaWinter visitorUncommon29–40 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.07% in Dec
Great White EgretArdea albaSummer visitorCommon80–104 cmRegularly Mar–Dec · 0.06% in Dec
Forster's TernSterna forsteriSummer visitorUncommon33–36 cmRecorded all year · 0.06% in Dec
Virginia RailRallus limicolaResidentUncommon20–27 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in Dec
Marsh WrenCistothorus palustrisResidentUncommon10–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in Dec
Orange-crowned WarblerLeiothlypis celataWinter visitorUncommon11–14 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.05% in Dec
Brent GooseBranta berniclaWinter visitorUncommon55–66 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.05% in Dec
Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscusWinter visitorUncommon52–64 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in Dec
RazorbillAlca tordaWinter visitorUncommon38–43 cmRegularly Dec–Mar · 0.05% in Dec
Snow BuntingPlectrophenax nivalisWinter visitorUncommon15–18 cmRegularly Nov–Feb · 0.04% in Dec
Ruddy TurnstoneArenaria interpresResidentUncommon21–24 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in Dec
Little AukAlle allePassage migrantRare18–21 cmRegularly Dec–Feb · 0.04% in Dec
Purple SandpiperCalidris maritimaWinter visitorRare20–22 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.04% in Dec
EiderSomateria mollissimaWinter visitorRare50–71 cmRegularly Nov–Apr · 0.04% in Dec
Grey PhalaropePhalaropus fulicariusPassage migrantRare20–22 cmRegularly Oct–Dec · 0.03% in Dec
Trumpeter SwanCygnus buccinatorResidentRare139–157 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Dec
KittiwakeRissa tridactylaPassage migrantRare37–41 cmRegularly Dec–Feb · 0.03% in Dec
Short-eared OwlAsio flammeusWinter visitorUncommon34–43 cmRegularly Nov–Apr · 0.03% in Dec
Manx ShearwaterPuffinus puffinusPassage migrantRare30–38 cmRegularly Dec · 0.03% in Dec
Sandhill CraneAntigone canadensisWinter visitorRare80–122 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Dec
Grey PloverPluvialis squatarolaSummer visitorUncommon27–30 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Dec
Black-crowned Night-heronNycticorax nycticoraxSummer visitorUncommon58–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Dec
Mute SwanCygnus olorResidentRare140–160 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Dec
Great CormorantPhalacrocorax carboWinter visitorRare80–100 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.02% in Dec
Greater White-fronted GooseAnser albifronsWinter visitorRare64–81 cmRegularly Nov–Mar · 0.02% in Dec
American BitternBotaurus lentiginosusWinter visitorRare58–85 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.01% in Dec
Ross's GooseAnser rossiiWinter visitorRare57–64 cmRegularly Nov–Mar · 0.01% in Dec
Eurasian WigeonMareca penelopeWinter visitorRare42–51 cmRegularly Nov–Mar · 0.01% in Dec
Red-necked GrebePodiceps grisegenaWinter visitorRare40–50 cmRegularly Nov–Apr · 0.01% in Dec
WilletTringa semipalmataSummer visitorUncommon33–41 cmRegularly Apr–Jan · 0.01% in Dec
Marbled GodwitLimosa fedoaPassage migrantRare40–50 cmRegularly Apr–Dec · 0.01% in Dec
Snowy OwlBubo scandiacusPassage migrantRare52–71 cmRegularly Nov–Mar · 0.01% in Dec
Rough-legged HawkButeo lagopusWinter visitorRare46–59 cmRegularly Nov–Mar · 0.01% in Dec
Lapland LongspurCalcarius lapponicusWinter visitorRare15–16 cmRegularly Oct–Mar · 0.01% in Dec
Muscovy DuckCairina moschataWinter visitorRare66–84 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Dec
Northern Saw-whet OwlAegolius acadicusWinter visitorRare17–21 cmRegularly Oct–Feb · 0.01% in Dec
Iceland GullLarus glaucoidesWinter visitorRare52–60 cmRegularly Nov–Mar · 0.01% in Dec
Long-billed DowitcherLimnodromus scolopaceusWinter visitorRare27–30 cmRegularly Jul–Mar · 0.01% in Dec
Lark SparrowChondestes grammacusPassage migrantRare15–17 cmRegularly Aug–Dec · 0.01% in Dec
Painted BuntingPasserina cirisWinter visitorUncommon12–14 cmRegularly Nov–Mar · 0.01% in Dec
Clay-colored SparrowSpizella pallidaPassage migrantRare13–15 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.00% in Dec
Golden EagleAquila chrysaetosWinter visitorRare66–102 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.00% in Dec
Western SandpiperCalidris mauriPassage migrantUncommon14–17 cmRegularly Jul–Dec · 0.00% in Dec
Red CrossbillLoxia curvirostraWinter visitorRare15–17 cmRegularly Jun–Feb · 0.00% in Dec
Black-headed GullChroicocephalus ridibundusWinter visitorRare38–44 cmRegularly Dec–Apr · 0.00% in Dec
Common PheasantPhasianus colchicusResidentRare50–90 cmRegularly Sep–Jul · 0.00% in Dec
Swan GooseAnser cygnoidesWinter visitorRare81–94 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.00% in Dec
Ruffed GrouseBonasa umbellusResidentRare41–50 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in Dec
FulmarFulmarus glacialisWinter visitorRare45–50 cmRegularly Dec–Feb · 0.00% in Dec
Data: EOD – eBird Observation Dataset (Cornell Lab of Ornithology), accessed via GBIF.org, CC BY 4.0. Records from 2019–2024, aggregated and filtered by Birdfact. How these lists are made