Maryland Symbols, State Bird & State Flower

Adopted in 1947.

The Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula) is the official Maryland bird (Chapter 54, Acts of 1947; Code State Government Article, sec. 13-302).

The female oriole's feathers are brownish-olive and dull orange, but the male's plumage is black and golden orange not unlike colors in the Calvert shield. 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.

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 Oriole's main diet.

In the late 1930s, Hoagy Carmichael composed the song, "Baltimore Oriole," lyrics by Paul Francis Webster.

Identification Tips

• Length: 6.5 inches
• Sharply-pointed bill

Male

• Black head, back, wings and tail
• Orange underparts, shoulder, and rump
• Orange tips to outer tail feathers
• White wing bar and edges
• Immature male similar to female but brighter orange with variable amounts of black on head

Female

• Brownish-gray upperparts
• Dull yellowish-orange breast and undertail coverts
• Gray belly
• Two wing bars

Adopted in 1918.

The Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) has been the official Maryland flower since 1918 when it was designated the "Floral Emblem" of Maryland by the General Assembly (Chapter 458, Acts of 1918; Code State Government Article, sec. 13-305).

In his Species Plantarum (1753), the Swedish naturalist Linnaeus described and named the flower Rudbeckia after Olav Rudbeck and his son, both professors at the University of Uppsala, and hirta from the Latin meaning "rough hairy".

Black-eyed susan is a rough, hairy perennial daisies or coneflowers, members of the sunflower family (Asteraceae). The flower's yellow rays circle a dark-brown, spherical center measuring 2 to 3 inches in diameter. Commonly found in fields and on roadsides, they bloom between May and August, reaching 2 to 3 feet in height. They are native to the United States, east of the Rocky Mountains.

Height: Plants are up to two feet tall, with narrow, toothed leaves that .

Leaves: Spaced alternately on the stem, mostly basal with coarse hairs.

Flower:  Biennial that flowers at the end of the second growing season. Heads are about two inches across. The short disc flowers in the center of the head are dark purplish-black, whereas the long outside ray flowers are bright yellow.

Fruit: Smooth, four-angled achenes.

Habitat: The Black-eyed Susan is a biennial that thrives in the high temps and direct sunlight. It is usually found in the meadows and pastures, as well as old fields and roadsides. They usually grow in undisturbed habitats and, even flourished in the Western Prairies in the early to mid 1900's. They however, are not as common as they were. The R. hirta. can also survive very well under cultivation and if cared for properly can flower a third year. Although they are found in Canada, they are not prevalent in many areas, such as Nova Scotia.