Woodpeckers
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A large group of birds, all woodpeckers use their stiff tails to brace themselves while climbing tree trunks. Woodpeckers have modified bills and skulls that allow them to drill into trees in pursuit of insects. For that reason, woodpeckers are found almost exclusively in wooded areas. They nest in tree cavities that they frequently excavate themselves.
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Introduced from Europe by a Shakespeare enthusiast, starlings have expanded to occur in close to every human-modified habitat. They eat berries and insects and compete with cavity nesters like woodpeckers for places to nest. When confronted by a predator starlings form a large flock known as a murmuration. -
Nuthatches are small, short-tailed, long-billed birds that are similar to woodpeckers in their habits. They pick insects from tree trunks, but unlike woodpeckers will climb down the tree headfirst. They nest in cavities, usually in mature, open woods. -
The Northern Bobwhite is the only native resident quail in Maryland. They are a stocky, short bird that prefers to run on the ground. During the winter they form coveys that can include as many as 20 individuals. The males make a distinctive bob-WHITE call during the summer.
