Shorebirds
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The name “shorebird” applies to a wide variety of birds, but most shorebirds have stocky bodies with long legs and bills. Shorebirds generally feed on invertebrates such as aquatic insects by probing the ground with their long bills. You might notice that the shorebirds are banded above the knee joint; this is done to accommodate their habits of wading in sand and mud.
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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. -
Shrikes are unique songbirds in that they hunt small vertebrates including mammals, birds, and reptiles. They frequently will hang their prey on thorns for later consumption. They are usually found in open fields, hedgerows, and wood edges. -
Vireos are small stocky birds that generally feed on berries and insects. As opposed to warblers that move almost constantly, most vireos will perch and sit for a few minutes before hopping off to the next branch.
