Tyrannidae Tyrant flycatchers are passerine birds which occur throughout North and South America. They superficially resemble the Old World flycatchers, but are more robust and have stronger bills. They do not have the sophisticated vocal capabilities of the songbirds. Most, but not all, are rather plain in plumage. As the name implies, most are insectivorous. Twenty-one species and a species pair have been recorded in Maryland. Ash-throated flycatcher, Myiarchus cinerascens (R) Great crested flycatcher, Myiarchus crinitus Tropical kingbird, Tyrannus melancholicus (R) Couch's kingbird, Tyrannus couchii (R) Western kingbird, Tyrannus verticalis Eastern kingbird, Tyrannus tyrannus Gray kingbird, Tyrannus dominicensis (R) Scissor-tailed flycatcher, Tyrannus forficatus (R) Fork-tailed flycatcher, Tyrannus savana (R) Olive-sided flycatcher, Contopus cooperi Eastern wood-pewee, Contopus virens Yellow-bellied flycatcher, Empidonax flaviventris Acadian flycatcher, Empidonax virescens Alder flycatcher, Empidonax alnorum Willow flycatcher, Empidonax traillii Least flycatcher, Empidonax minimus Hammond's flycatcher, Empidonax hammondii (R) Pacific-slope flycatcher/cordilleran flycatcher, Empidonax difficilis/Empidonax occidentalis (R) Eastern phoebe, Sayornis phoebe Say's phoebe, Sayornis saya (R) Vermilion flycatcher, Pyrocephalus rubinus (R) Vireos, shrike-babblers, and erpornis Order: PasseriformesFamily: Vireonidae The vireos are a group of small- to medium-sized passerine birds. They are typically greenish in color and resemble the wood-warblers, except for their heavier bills. Seven species have been recorded in Maryland. White-eyed vireo, Vireo griseus Bell's vireo, Vireo bellii (R) Yellow-throated vireo, Vireo flavifrons Blue-headed vireo, Vireo solitarius Philadelphia vireo, Vireo philadelphicus Warbling vireo, Vireo gilvus Red-eyed vireo, Vireo olivaceus Shrikes Order: PasseriformesFamily: Laniidae Shrikes are passerine birds known for their habit of catching other birds and small animals and impaling the uneaten portions of their bodies on thorns. A shrike's beak is hooked, like that of a typical bird of prey. Two species have been recorded in Maryland. Loggerhead shrike, Lanius ludovicianus (R) Northern shrike, Lanius borealis Crows, jays, and magpies Order: PasseriformesFamily: Corvidae The family Corvidae includes crows, ravens, jays, choughs, magpies, treepies, nutcrackers, and ground jays. Corvids are above average in size among the Passeriformes, and some of the larger species show high levels of intelligence. Four species have been recorded in Maryland. Blue jay, Cyanocitta cristata American crow, Corvus brachyrhynchos Fish crow, Corvus ossifragus Common raven, Corvus corax (R*) Tits, chickadees, and titmice Order: PasseriformesFamily: Paridae The Paridae are mainly small stocky woodland species with short stout bills. Some have crests. They are adaptable birds, with a mixed diet which includes seeds and insects. Five species have been recorded in Maryland. Carolina chickadee, Poecile