carolinensis (R*) Black-capped chickadee, Poecile atricapilla (R*) Boreal chickadee, Poecile hudsonica (R) Tufted titmouse, Baeolophus bicolor Great tit, Parus major (EO) (not on the AOS Check-list; scientific name and placement are per Clements) Larks Order: PasseriformesFamily: Alaudidae Larks are small terrestrial birds with often extravagant songs and display flights. Most larks are fairly dull in appearance. They feed on insects and seeds. One species has been recorded in Maryland. Horned lark, Eremophila alpestris Swallows Order: PasseriformesFamily: Hirundinidae The family Hirundinidae is adapted to aerial feeding. They have a slender streamlined body, long pointed wings, and a short bill with a wide gape. The feet are adapted to perching rather than walking and the front toes are partially joined at the base. Seven species have been recorded in Maryland. Bank swallow, Riparia riparia Tree swallow, Tachycineta bicolor Northern rough-winged swallow, Stelgidopteryx serripennis Purple martin, Progne subis Barn swallow, Hirundo rustica Cliff swallow, Petrochelidon pyrrhonota Cave swallow, Petrochelidon fulva Kinglets Order: PasseriformesFamily: Regulidae The kinglets are a family of small insectivorous birds. The adults have colored crowns, giving rise to their name. Two species have been recorded in Maryland. Ruby-crowned kinglet, Corthylio calendula Golden-crowned kinglet, Regulus satrapa Waxwings Order: PasseriformesFamily: Bombycillidae The waxwings are a group of birds with soft silky plumage and unique red tips to some of the wing feathers. In the Bohemian and cedar waxwings, these tips look like sealing wax and give the group its name. These are arboreal birds of northern forests. They live on insects in summer and berries in winter. Two species have been recorded in Maryland. Bohemian waxwing, Bombycilla garrulus (R) Cedar waxwing, Bombycilla cedrorum Nuthatches Order: PasseriformesFamily: Sittidae Nuthatches are small woodland birds. They have the unusual ability to climb down trees head first, unlike other birds, which can only go upwards. Nuthatches have big heads, short tails, and powerful bills and feet. Three species have been recorded in Maryland. Red-breasted nuthatch, Sitta canadensis White-breasted nuthatch, Sitta carolinensis Brown-headed nuthatch, Sitta pusilla (R*) Treecreepers Order: PasseriformesFamily: Certhiidae Treecreepers are small woodland birds with brown backs and white underparts. They have thin pointed down-curved bills, which they use to extricate insects from bark. They have stiff tail feathers, like woodpeckers, which they use to support themselves on vertical trees. One species has been recorded in Maryland. Brown creeper, Certhia americana Gnatcatchers Order: PasseriformesFamily: Polioptilidae These dainty birds resemble Old World warblers in their structure