Picture this, you’re walking along the shores of Lake Erie in Ohio, or you’re sitting on your back porch. You watch a bird fly to a tree, it sings and then suddenly flies off again. What was that bird? A real nature mystery! Where’s the best place to start?
Bird Identification Ohio
When it comes to Ohio bird identification, there’s 445 bird species it could be! A daunting number for anyone just beginning their birdwatching journey. But Ohio is a fantastic place to begin learning or improving your bird identification skills. Don’t worry you don’t have to learn to ID birds alone, there are great bird identification apps like the free Birda app to help you along. On Birda, you receive friendly bird identification suggestions with tips and tricks from other birdwatchers, both in Ohio and globally, as well as use AI photo ID to identify any bird from your photos – even blurry ones!
Going back to our mystery bird, let’s explore some tips and tricks to ID the top 10 most common birds you might see in Ohio. We’ll include some fun facts to help you remember the birds and quickly cover everything you need to know to get you started on your journey to identify birds in Ohio.
Top 10 Most Common Birds in Ohio
Bird Identification – Cardinals are an iconic bird in Ohio. Males are a striking crimson red bird and females are a subdued brown with a reddish tinge. Keep an eye out for that pointed head-crest and powerful, bulky beak. This mid-sized songbird is a vibrant visitor to many backyards and once you’ve seen them, they’re unmistakable.
Fun Facts – Northern Cardinals were named after Cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church who wore red robes and caps!
Bird Identification – A large, bright blue bird, the Blue Jay. This is a clever bird that’s part of the corvid family. Similar in shape to a Crow, but with a myriad of blue, black and white feathers. You might see these birds bouncing around the tops of trees or making a fleeting visit to your bird table. Keep an ear out for their interesting calls as Blue Jays are known to mimic other birds!
Fun fact – Blue Jays can mimic hawks to warn other birds about danger and to scare them from a food source.
Bird Identification – American Robins are a real symbol of spring. They are a common bird seen in Ohio backyards. Males and females look alike with the strong red chest, gray back and bright yellow bill. These birds are often seen on lawns, hopping around and searching for worms and other insects or in trees with a beak full of berries. Keep an ear out for their wonderful song which really symbolizes spring in Ohio.
Fun Fact – The American Robin isn’t actually a Robin! It’s actually part of the thrush family. It was named after the European Robin which also shares this bright red chest.
Bird Identification – This Dove is similar to the town pigeons found in Ohio’s city centers but is a bit more delicate and sleek. A mostly light-brown bird with a calming song which you will definitely recognise, take a listen below. This bird is also a fleeting visitor to bird tables and will often be underneath, feeding on discarded seeds.
Fun Fact – This bird is named after its call which is a sad, mournful moaning song.
Bird Identification – The American Goldfinch is a bright yellow, twinkling flash of a bird. This small, sparrow-sized bird is a particular backyard favourite in Ohio. Recognisable by that golden yellow colour and dark markings, as well as its gorgeous tinkling call. Often Goldfinches are seen in large groups.
Fun Fact – Did you know that a group of Goldfinches is called a Charm? Partially from their twinkling song.
Tips for Starting Bird Identification in Ohio
Here’s a few simple tips to start your bird ID journey in Ohio:
- Backyards and Local Parks – Try starting small by looking in your backyard and local area. Get familiar with the birds you’ll see most often.
- Bird Basics – Look for small details of your bird, so shape, colors and size are most important. Use these to narrow down your search for a bird.
- Patience is key – Be patient with yourself and with the birds. It can take some time to ‘get your eye in’ to find birds, and it can also take practice to identify birds, but you’ll see your progression soar.
- A helping hand – Flick through a bird identification book or download a birding app, like Birda, to give you a head start.
- Join a Community – Join thousands of people like you, interested in nature and keen to learn more about birds. Local Audubon groups like Ohio Audubon or the community on Birda are great places to begin.
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Bird Identification – A small bird with a big song, this is one of Ohio’s most musical backyard bird, the Song Sparrow. Named after its range of musical melodies, this might be a common visitor to your backyard. Covered with brown streaks, keep an eye out for the bird’s white ‘eyebrow’.
Fun Fact – The oldest Song Sparrow has been recorded at 11 years old!
Bird Identification – A dark bird with a flash of brilliant red, this is a wonderful bird to see in Ohio. Roughly American Robin sized, the males sport a red chip on their shoulders! They can usually be found perched at the top of trees and shrubs, singing their beautiful songs. The female Red-winged Blackbird on the other hand is surprisingly different. Coloured in brown and cream streaks, you wouldn’t think these belong to the same species, but look for the beak, males and females share the same shape and size.
Fun Fact – Red-winged Blackbirds can reach up to 30mph in flight!
Bird Identification – This tiny gray bird is one of Ohio’s favourites; the Carolina Chickadee. About thumb-sized, this little bird is a character in gardens. Keep an eye out for that black cap and throat, paired with a gray back and cream-colored chest. Listed for their call, chick-a-dee chick-a-dee.
Fun Fact – The oldest Carolina Chickadee has been recorded at 10 years old!
Bird Identification – A woodpecker that’s familiar in Ohio; the Red-bellied Woodpecker. Named after one of their least seen features, a very subtle red-blushing chest! This bird is slightly smaller than an American Robin and is often climbing trees. This bird has a powerful bill that drums on trees to stake territories, drill holes for nests and to find insects. Males and females look similar, but males sport a fantastic red cap and neck, whereas females have a soft gray crown.
Fun Fact – A Red-bellied Woodpecker’s tongue is about 9 ¼ inches long!
Bird Identification – A sparrow-sized bird with a whacky hairdo, the Tufted Titmouse is one of Ohio’s most stylish backyard birds. With a mostly gray back and pale chest, the easiest identifying feature is its gray pointed crest on top of its head. Take a peek under the wing to see that chestnut brown patch and look out for the bird’s dark ‘moustache’ above the beak.
Fun Fact – Tufted Titmouse often hold seeds and nuts in their claws and peck continuously until the seed is broken.
If you’d like more tips to start your bird identification Ohio journey, learn how to identify birds in the USA.
Top 5 Places in Ohio to go birding
1. Scioto Audubon Metro Park
Even in the centre of the busy Columbus city, you can still find a great spot to go birdwatching. Scioto Audubon Metro Park is a wildlife haven in the middle of a bustling city. With a river running past the park, you’ll be able to see Mallards, Great Blue Herons, Canada Geese and Gulls. Keep an eye open for the common species too, like Cardinal and American Robin.
2. Strouds Run State Park
Strouds Run State Park is great to get familiar with common birds and begin to recognise a vast range of summer migrants like White-eyed Vireos, Ovenbirds and warblers. With plenty of Lakeside trails to follow, you’re bound to see American Crows and Woodpeckers!
3. Caesar Creek State Park
Find this bird paradise between Cincinnati and Dayton, Caesar Creek State Park is a good place to find birds that live in woodlands, live on water and maybe spy some raptors! With Turkey Vultures circling on thermals high above the woodland, or Double-crested Cormorants drying out their wings on branches near water. This park is definitely worth a visit to help your bird identification in Ohio.
4. Metzger Marsh Wildlife Area
Metzger Marsh Wildlife Area is a great place to spot waders, ducks and shorebirds. American Coots, Blue-winged Teals and Common Gallinule are a great spot but head to some of the many pools to spot waders like the Yellowlegs and Great White Egrets.
5. Maumee Bay State Park
And our final recommendation is Maumee Bay State Park. An excellent place for spotted Red-winged Blackbirds and, in the Spring and Summer, this is one of the best spaces to learn more about warblers and migrating birds that come to Ohio to breed. Keep your eyes to the skies and look out for Bald Eagles with their barn-door like wings and Cooper’s Hawk with their upright stance. Look out for Cooper’s Hawks and know how to identify them.
Conclusion
Whether you’re just beginning to notice birds or you’re a seasoned birdwatcher, Ohio holds a great number of birds to discover. There are some fantastic places in Ohio to explore and birdwatching is one of the easiest hobbies that can be done from anywhere in Ohio, with little to no equipment.
Discover more and keep track with Birda, your own pocket bird identification and bird logging tool. Turn birding into a game and unlock great prizes with challenges or simply keep your own goals to make your walks more interesting. Download today, it’s free!
Learn more about bird ID in other states, like our Georgia Bird Identification guide or explore more tips for identifying birds in the US.
Quick FAQs
Why go birdwatching?
Birding helps give you the chance to slow down and appreciate nature. From the Blue Jay’s vibrant blue feathers and loud calls, to the streaky brown feathers and beautiful melody of the Song Sparrow, every bird sighting makes you feel like you’re in a wildlife documentary! In our busy lives that revolve around screens, taking a walk in nature is beneficial for your mental health and it can be done from anywhere.
Why is Ohio great for birdwatching?
Ohio is one of the best states to start birding. It is key for many migratory birds and has a range of habitats that are perfect for finding new and exciting birds. From the shores of Lake Erie, which are perfect for watching waterfowl and waders, to the great woodlands nearby where songbirds and raptors thrive.
What tools do I need to start identifying birds?
For the most part, you’ll only need your eyes and ears. It’s a free hobby and you can appreciate birds with just your senses. Although, one of the best enhancements you can do for your birdwatching journey is to start learning and sharing with the Birda community. Birda makes bird identification easy with its AI ID tool, vast community of birdwatchers willing to help and an integrated species guide! Get your bird questions answered quickly and easily.
How do I attract birds to a feeder in Ohio?
Putting up feeders is a great way to bring the birdlife to you! Here’s a few tips –
- Food – Stock your feeders with good protein-rich and fat-rich food, e.g. peanuts, sunflower hearts, dried mealworms. Try making your own bird feeders for easy fun with the family!
- Greenery – Put your feeders close to a tree, a bush or on a branch. The safer the birds feel at the feeder, the higher chance you’ll have of seeing them.
- Water – adding a water feature near to your feeders, like a birdbath or a small dish of water, ensures that your backyard birds don’t have to travel too far to catch a drink.
- Clean – Ensure your feeders and your bird baths are clean. Some avian diseases can be transferred to other birds through dirty bird feeders (usually, us humans are safe from these). Once every month, give your feeders a hot soapy bath and a good scrub. This will help get rid of old seed, keep it squeaky clean and keep your birds returning to your backyard.
Common Hawks in Ohio
One of the most common hawks in Ohio is the Red-tailed Hawk with its vibrant red tail. Hawks and birds of prey show up in interesting places; The middle of cities, circling high above the clouds or even in your backyard. Hawk identification can be a little confusing so learn more about Hawk identification.
