Featured Species

The refuge is the largest block of forest between Washington, D.C., and Baltimore. As such the forest is vitally important to deep-forest dwelling songbirds. Few other locations in the area can support species such as the Scarlet tanager and Wood-thrush. Also of note is Patuxent’s high populations amphibians including numerous species of frogs, toads, and salamanders.

Bald eagle up close with wing raised

A large raptor, the bald eagle has a wingspread of about seven feet. Adults have a dark brown body and wings, white head and tail, and a yellow beak. Juveniles are mostly brown with white mottling on the body, tail, and undersides of wings. Adult plumage usually is obtained by the sixth year. In...

FWS Focus