Birds to See in Maryland in January
122 bird species on our list for Maryland are recorded regularly in January
Of these, the most often recorded are Northern Cardinal, Canada Goose, American Crow, Downy Woodpecker and Red-bellied Woodpecker. New this month: Vesper Sparrow, Evening Grosbeak, Black-necked Grebe and Glaucous Gull.
On the move in January
GBIF · JanArriving
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 122 birds in January
122 birds
Northern CardinalCardinalis cardinalisResidentCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 4.16% in Jan
Canada GooseBranta canadensisResidentCommon76–110 cmRecorded all year · 3.20% in Jan
American CrowCorvus brachyrhynchosResidentCommon41–53 cmRecorded all year · 3.13% in Jan
Downy WoodpeckerDryobates pubescensResidentCommon14–18 cmRecorded all year · 2.86% in Jan
Red-bellied WoodpeckerMelanerpes carolinusResidentCommon23–26 cmRecorded all year · 2.85% in Jan
Blue JayCyanocitta cristataResidentCommon25–30 cmRecorded all year · 2.73% in Jan
Tufted TitmouseBaeolophus bicolorResidentCommon14–16 cmRecorded all year · 2.67% in Jan
Song SparrowMelospiza melodiaResidentCommon12–17 cmRecorded all year · 2.65% in Jan
White-breasted NuthatchSitta carolinensisResidentCommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 2.35% in Jan
Turkey VultureCathartes auraResidentCommon62–81 cmRecorded all year · 2.34% in Jan
Mourning DoveZenaida macrouraResidentCommon23–34 cmRecorded all year · 2.17% in Jan
MallardAnas platyrhynchosResidentCommon50–65 cmRecorded all year · 2.15% in Jan
Common StarlingSturnus vulgarisResidentCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 2.06% in Jan
American RobinTurdus migratoriusResidentCommon20–28 cmRecorded all year · 1.98% in Jan
Eastern BluebirdSialia sialisResidentCommon16–21 cmRecorded all year · 1.91% in Jan
Ring-billed GullLarus delawarensisWinter visitorCommon43–54 cmRegularly Jul–May · 1.91% in Jan
House FinchHaemorhous mexicanusResidentCommon13–15 cmRecorded all year · 1.82% in Jan
Northern MockingbirdMimus polyglottosResidentCommon21–26 cmRecorded all year · 1.74% in Jan
Bald EagleHaliaeetus leucocephalusResidentCommon70–102 cmRecorded all year · 1.61% in Jan
House SparrowPasser domesticusResidentCommon14–17 cmRecorded all year · 1.57% in Jan
Northern FlickerColaptes auratusResidentCommon28–31 cmRecorded all year · 1.43% in Jan
Great Blue HeronArdea herodiasResidentCommon91–137 cmRecorded all year · 1.29% in Jan
Red-winged BlackbirdAgelaius phoeniceusResidentCommon17–23 cmRecorded all year · 1.17% in Jan
Hooded MerganserLophodytes cucullatusWinter visitorCommon40–49 cmRegularly Nov–Apr · 1.05% in Jan
Fish CrowCorvus ossifragusResidentCommon36–41 cmRecorded all year · 0.94% in Jan
Pileated WoodpeckerDryocopus pileatusResidentCommon40–49 cmRecorded all year · 0.94% in Jan
American Herring GullLarus smithsonianusWinter visitorCommon53–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.85% in Jan
Hairy WoodpeckerLeuconotopicus villosusResidentCommon18–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.84% in Jan
Yellow-bellied SapsuckerSphyrapicus variusWinter visitorCommon19–22 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.80% in Jan
Red-tailed HawkButeo jamaicensisResidentCommon45–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.79% in Jan
Common MerganserMergus merganserWinter visitorCommon58–68 cmRegularly Nov–Aug · 0.67% in Jan
Yellow-rumped WarblerSetophaga coronataWinter visitorCommon12–15 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.65% in Jan
Ruddy DuckOxyura jamaicensisWinter visitorCommon35–43 cmRegularly Aug–Apr · 0.64% in Jan
Hermit ThrushCatharus guttatusWinter visitorCommon14–18 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.58% in Jan
Swamp SparrowMelospiza georgianaWinter visitorCommon12–15 cmRegularly Sep–Jun · 0.57% in Jan
Rock DoveColumba liviaResidentCommon29–37 cmRecorded all year · 0.55% in Jan
American Black DuckAnas rubripesWinter visitorCommon54–59 cmRecorded all year · 0.54% in Jan
Ruby-crowned KingletCorthylio calendulaWinter visitorCommon9–11 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.53% in Jan
Great Black-backed GullLarus marinusResidentCommon64–79 cmRecorded all year · 0.51% in Jan
Tundra SwanCygnus columbianusWinter visitorCommon120–150 cmRegularly Nov–Mar · 0.47% in Jan
GadwallMareca streperaWinter visitorUncommon46–56 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.44% in Jan
Common GrackleQuiscalus quisculaResidentCommon28–34 cmRecorded all year · 0.42% in Jan
GoldeneyeBucephala clangulaWinter visitorUncommon40–51 cmRegularly Nov–Mar · 0.36% in Jan
Long-tailed DuckClangula hyemalisWinter visitorUncommon37–60 cmRegularly Nov–Apr · 0.35% in Jan
Cedar WaxwingBombycilla cedrorumResidentCommon15–18 cmRecorded all year · 0.34% in Jan
Common RavenCorvus coraxResidentUncommon54–67 cmRecorded all year · 0.32% in Jan
Pied-billed GrebePodilymbus podicepsWinter visitorUncommon31–38 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.31% in Jan
Greater ScaupAythya marilaWinter visitorUncommon39–56 cmRegularly Nov–Apr · 0.30% in Jan
Surf ScoterMelanitta perspicillataWinter visitorUncommon48–60 cmRegularly Jul–Apr · 0.30% in Jan
Northern ShovelerSpatula clypeataWinter visitorUncommon44–51 cmRegularly Aug–Apr · 0.27% in Jan
Common LoonGavia immerWinter visitorUncommon66–91 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.26% in Jan
Snow GooseAnser caerulescensWinter visitorUncommon69–84 cmRegularly Nov–Mar · 0.24% in Jan
Fox SparrowPasserella iliacaWinter visitorUncommon15–19 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.23% in Jan
Northern PintailAnas acutaWinter visitorUncommon59–76 cmRegularly Sep–Mar · 0.22% in Jan
Horned GrebePodiceps auritusWinter visitorUncommon31–38 cmRegularly Nov–Apr · 0.22% in Jan
Red-breasted MerganserMergus serratorWinter visitorUncommon52–58 cmRegularly Nov–May · 0.19% in Jan
Horned LarkEremophila alpestrisResidentUncommon16–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.17% in Jan
Sharp-shinned HawkAccipiter striatusWinter visitorUncommon24–34 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.16% in Jan
Eurasian TealAnas creccaWinter visitorUncommon34–38 cmRegularly Aug–Apr · 0.15% in Jan
Chipping SparrowSpizella passerinaSummer visitorCommon12–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.15% in Jan
Barred OwlStrix variaResidentUncommon43–50 cmRecorded all year · 0.13% in Jan
Cackling GooseBranta hutchinsiiWinter visitorUncommon53–76 cmRegularly Oct–Mar · 0.13% in Jan
Great Horned OwlBubo virginianusWinter visitorUncommon46–63 cmRecorded all year · 0.11% in Jan
White-crowned SparrowZonotrichia leucophrysWinter visitorUncommon15–16 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.11% in Jan
MerlinFalco columbariusWinter visitorUncommon24–33 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.11% in Jan
Pine SiskinSpinus pinusWinter visitorUncommon11–14 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.10% in Jan
Red-headed WoodpeckerMelanerpes erythrocephalusResidentUncommon19–23 cmRecorded all year · 0.09% in Jan
Red-throated LoonGavia stellataWinter visitorUncommon53–69 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.09% in Jan
Wood DuckAix sponsaSummer visitorCommon47–54 cmRecorded all year · 0.08% in Jan
SanderlingCalidris albaWinter visitorUncommon18–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.08% in Jan
Bonaparte's GullChroicocephalus philadelphiaWinter visitorUncommon28–38 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.08% in Jan
American Tree SparrowSpizelloides arboreaWinter visitorUncommon14–17 cmRegularly Nov–Mar · 0.07% in Jan
Peregrine FalconFalco peregrinusWinter visitorUncommon34–58 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in Jan
Eastern Screech-owlMegascops asioResidentUncommon16–25 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in Jan
Wild TurkeyMeleagris gallopavoResidentUncommon100–125 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in Jan
DunlinCalidris alpinaWinter visitorUncommon16–22 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.07% in Jan
Brent GooseBranta berniclaWinter visitorUncommon55–66 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.06% in Jan
Painted BuntingPasserina cirisWinter visitorUncommon12–14 cmRegularly Nov–Mar · 0.06% in Jan
Greater YellowlegsTringa melanoleucaWinter visitorUncommon29–40 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.05% in Jan
Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscusWinter visitorUncommon52–64 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in Jan
Ruddy TurnstoneArenaria interpresResidentUncommon21–24 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in Jan
Northern GannetMorus bassanusWinter visitorUncommon87–100 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.04% in Jan
EiderSomateria mollissimaWinter visitorRare50–71 cmRegularly Nov–Apr · 0.04% in Jan
Short-eared OwlAsio flammeusWinter visitorUncommon34–43 cmRegularly Nov–Apr · 0.04% in Jan
Purple SandpiperCalidris maritimaWinter visitorRare20–22 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.03% in Jan
Trumpeter SwanCygnus buccinatorResidentRare139–157 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Jan
Greater White-fronted GooseAnser albifronsWinter visitorRare64–81 cmRegularly Nov–Mar · 0.03% in Jan
Virginia RailRallus limicolaResidentUncommon20–27 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Jan
Forster's TernSterna forsteriSummer visitorUncommon33–36 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Jan
Mute SwanCygnus olorResidentRare140–160 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Jan
Sandhill CraneAntigone canadensisWinter visitorRare80–122 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Jan
Snow BuntingPlectrophenax nivalisWinter visitorUncommon15–18 cmRegularly Nov–Feb · 0.03% in Jan
Marsh WrenCistothorus palustrisResidentUncommon10–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Jan
Orange-crowned WarblerLeiothlypis celataWinter visitorUncommon11–14 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.02% in Jan
Great CormorantPhalacrocorax carboWinter visitorRare80–100 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.02% in Jan
Iceland GullLarus glaucoidesWinter visitorRare52–60 cmRegularly Nov–Mar · 0.02% in Jan
Evening GrosbeakHesperiphona vespertinaPassage migrantRare16–22 cmRegularly Nov–Apr · 0.02% in Jan
Grey PloverPluvialis squatarolaSummer visitorUncommon27–30 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Jan
Black-crowned Night-heronNycticorax nycticoraxSummer visitorUncommon58–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Jan
Golden EagleAquila chrysaetosWinter visitorRare66–102 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.02% in Jan
Ross's GooseAnser rossiiWinter visitorRare57–64 cmRegularly Nov–Mar · 0.02% in Jan
Lapland LongspurCalcarius lapponicusWinter visitorRare15–16 cmRegularly Oct–Mar · 0.01% in Jan
Muscovy DuckCairina moschataWinter visitorRare66–84 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Jan
Snowy OwlBubo scandiacusPassage migrantRare52–71 cmRegularly Nov–Mar · 0.01% in Jan
RazorbillAlca tordaWinter visitorUncommon38–43 cmRegularly Dec–Mar · 0.01% in Jan
Glaucous GullLarus hyperboreusPassage migrantRare62–68 cmRegularly Jan–Mar · 0.01% in Jan
American BitternBotaurus lentiginosusWinter visitorRare58–85 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.01% in Jan
Rough-legged HawkButeo lagopusWinter visitorRare46–59 cmRegularly Nov–Mar · 0.01% in Jan
WilletTringa semipalmataSummer visitorUncommon33–41 cmRegularly Apr–Jan · 0.01% in Jan
Red-necked GrebePodiceps grisegenaWinter visitorRare40–50 cmRegularly Nov–Apr · 0.00% in Jan
Long-billed DowitcherLimnodromus scolopaceusWinter visitorRare27–30 cmRegularly Jul–Mar · 0.00% in Jan
Vesper SparrowPooecetes gramineusSummer visitorRare13–17 cmRegularly Oct–Jul · 0.00% in Jan
Northern Saw-whet OwlAegolius acadicusWinter visitorRare17–21 cmRegularly Oct–Feb · 0.00% in Jan
Common PheasantPhasianus colchicusResidentRare50–90 cmRegularly Sep–Jul · 0.00% in Jan
Eurasian WigeonMareca penelopeWinter visitorRare42–51 cmRegularly Nov–Mar · 0.00% in Jan
Black-necked GrebePodiceps nigricollisPassage migrantRare28–34 cmRegularly Oct–Jan · 0.00% in Jan
Swan GooseAnser cygnoidesWinter visitorRare81–94 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.00% in Jan
Red CrossbillLoxia curvirostraWinter visitorRare15–17 cmRegularly Jun–Feb · 0.00% in Jan
Black-headed GullChroicocephalus ridibundusWinter visitorRare38–44 cmRegularly Dec–Apr · 0.00% in Jan
Ruffed GrouseBonasa umbellusResidentRare41–50 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in Jan
Clay-colored SparrowSpizella pallidaPassage migrantRare13–15 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.00% in Jan
FulmarFulmarus glacialisWinter visitorRare45–50 cmRegularly Dec–Feb · 0.00% in Jan
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