Northern Ohio is home to a diverse range of bird species. According to the Ohio Ornithological Society, there are over 400 species of birds that can be found in Ohio throughout the year. The most common backyard birds in northern Ohio include the Northern Cardinal, American Robin, Blue Jay, Mourning Dove, Downy Woodpecker, Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, House Finch, American Goldfinch, and House Sparrow.
Why are there so many bird species in northern Ohio?
There are several reasons why northern Ohio has such a diversity of bird species:
- Location – Northern Ohio lies within the Atlantic Flyway, a major bird migration route. Many species pass through Ohio each spring and fall as they travel between their breeding and wintering grounds.
- Habitat diversity – Northern Ohio has a mix of forest, grassland, wetland, and agricultural habitats that can support many types of birds.
- Bird feeders – Backyard bird feeding is very popular in Ohio. Food and nesting spots provided by people help attract and sustain bird populations.
- Conservation – Habitat protection and restoration in parks, nature preserves, and private lands provides sanctuary for birds.
- Cleveland metroparks – Extensive parklands around Cleveland provide excellent bird habitat within an urban landscape.
The intersection of major migration routes and varied habitats makes northern Ohio a birding hotspot where both migrating songbirds and resident birds can thrive.
What are the most common backyard birds in northern Ohio?
The most frequently seen backyard birds at feeders in northern Ohio include:
| Bird | Description |
|---|---|
| Northern Cardinal | Bright red males and brownish females with crested heads frequent backyards year-round. |
| American Robin | These reddish-orange breasted thrushes eat worms from lawns in summer and berries from bushes in winter. |
| Blue Jay | Noisy and boisterous jays with blue, black, and white plumage visit feeders often. |
| Mourning Dove | Pale brown doves with black spots on their wings are a common sight beneath feeders. |
| Downy Woodpecker | These tiny black and white woodpeckers with red spots are backyard bird favorites. |
| Black-capped Chickadee | Active and acrobatic chickadees with black caps and white cheeks add cheer to backyards. |
These species frequent backyard feeders for seeds, suet, and table scraps throughout the year. Their popularity makes them easy to spot and enjoy.
What are some common Ohio woodland birds?
In addition to backyard birds, northern Ohio hosts many woodland species in its forests and nature preserves. Some birds frequently seen in Ohio woodlands include:
| Bird | Description |
|---|---|
| Tufted Titmouse | Grey and peach colored songbirds with tufted crests. |
| White-breasted Nuthatch | Blue-gray birds with white underparts that walk down tree trunks. |
| Red-bellied Woodpecker | Medium-sized woodpeckers with zebra-striped backs and red bellies. |
| Eastern Wood-Pewee | Drab grayish-olive songbirds that sing “pee-ah-wee”. |
| Acadian Flycatcher | Olive-green songbirds with white undersides and wingbars. |
Mature forests with oak, hickory, and other deciduous trees provide ideal habitat for these woodland species. Places like the Cuyahoga Valley National Park allow birders to spot them with relative ease.
What are some wetland birds found in northern Ohio?
Northern Ohio has many rivers, lakes, marshes and other wetland habitats that attract aquatic bird species. Some wetland birds found in the region include:
| Bird | Description |
|---|---|
| Mallard | Common dabbling ducks often seen on lakes and ponds. |
| Great Blue Heron | Large grayish blue herons that stand motionless along shorelines. |
| Belted Kingfisher | Stocky birds with shaggy crests and loud rattling calls. |
| Red-winged Blackbird | Abundant blackbirds with red shoulder patches on their wings. |
| Killdeer | Noisy plovers with double breast bands and rusty rumps. |
These wetland specialists can be seen around marshes, rivers, lakes, ponds and flooded fields across northern Ohio. Places like Magee Marsh Wildlife Area provide excellent wetland bird habitat.
What are some common backyard feeder birds in northern Ohio?
Here are some of the birds that are likely to show up at backyard feeders in northern Ohio:
| Bird | Foods Eaten |
|---|---|
| Northern Cardinal | Sunflower seeds, safflower seeds, cracked corn |
| American Goldfinch | Nyger seed, sunflower chips |
| Carolina Chickadee | Black oil sunflower seeds, suet |
| Tufted Titmouse | Sunflower seeds, peanuts, suet |
| Red-bellied Woodpecker | Safflower seeds, suet |
| Downy Woodpecker | Suet, sunflower seeds, peanuts |
| White-breasted Nuthatch | Sunflower chips, peanuts, suet |
| Mourning Dove | Sunflower seeds, millet, cracked corn |
Offering a variety of seeds, nuts, and suet will attract the greatest diversity of birds to a backyard feeder in northern Ohio.
What are some of the rare birds that can be seen in northern Ohio?
While common birds make up the majority of species in northern Ohio, there are some rare and unusual birds that birders hope to spot as well. Some rare northern Ohio birds include:
- Snowy Owl – These Arctic owls sometimes irrupt south in winter.
- Sandhill Crane – Large gray cranes that occasionally stop in northern Ohio wetlands on migration.
- Prothonotary Warbler – Brilliant golden warblers rarely found breeding in wooded swamps.
- Henslow’s Sparrow – Small orange and black sparrows that inhabit overgrown fields.
- Loggerhead Shrike – Predatory grey, black and white songbirds now quite rare.
- Golden Eagle – Huge raptors that pass through Ohio in winter.
Other vagrant songbirds and seabirds sometimes appear in northern Ohio after being blown off course by storms. Ebird and rare bird alerts help birders know when unusual sightings occur.
What are the best places to go birdwatching in northern Ohio?
Some top birding hotspots in northern Ohio include:
- Magee Marsh – Famous warbler migration stopover site along Lake Erie near Oak Harbor.
- Cuyahoga Valley National Park – Extensive river valley park between Cleveland and Akron.
- Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge – Wetlands and meadows near Lake Erie harbor huge waterfowl and songbird migrations.
- Mentor Marsh and Headlands Beach – Mentor Marsh combines meadow, marsh and beach habitats.
- Rocky River Important Bird Area – River mouth birding site near Cleveland with migratory raptors.
- Shawnee State Forest – Ohio’s largest state forest has breeding Cerulean and Kentucky Warblers.
In addition to these notable spots, any park or green space can attract interesting migrants during peak migration times in May and September-October.
What kinds of habitats attract the most birds in northern Ohio?
Key habitats that attract diverse birds in northern Ohio include:
- Mature deciduous forests – Large stands of oak, maple, hickory and other trees host many woodland songbirds like vireos, tanagers, and woodpeckers.
- Riparian corridors – Rivers and streams lined with sycamores, cottonwoods and other trees attract migratory songbirds.
- Wetlands – Marshes, swamps, ponds and flooded fields are used as stopover spots for waterfowl and wading birds.
- Grasslands – Both natural prairie remnants and agricultural fields provide habitat for bobolinks, meadowlarks, and grassland sparrows.
- Lake Erie shoreline – Beaches, meadows and marshes along Lake Erie are migration hotspots in May and September-October.
Places that combine multiple habitat types often have the greatest overall bird diversity throughout the year.
What is the best time of year to go birdwatching in northern Ohio?
Northern Ohio offers excellent birding opportunities year-round, but the peak birdwatching seasons are:
- May – Spring songbird migration peaks in mid-late May when colorful tropical species move through Ohio in big numbers.
- June – Resident and nesting birds like flycatchers, vireos, thrushes and warblers are active in summer.
- September-October – Fall migration starts in September with raptors and songbirds before huge numbers arrive in October.
- November-February – Winter finches, ducks, owls and other northern birds visit Ohio on irregular schedules.
While great birding can happen during any month, targeting the migration periods of May, September and October maximize the chances of seeing the most diverse bird species when many vagrants are also possible.
Conclusion
Northern Ohio’s location within major migration flyways combines with the region’s diverse habitats to make it a premier birding destination. Hundreds of bird species pass through annually, including sought after rarities, waterfowl concentrations, and brilliant migratory warblers and other songbirds. The best birding sites offer access to forest, wetland and Lake Erie habitats during the peak movements of spring and fall migration. With a pair of binoculars and knowledge of the area’s top spots, birders can enjoy outstanding birding in northern Ohio all year long.
