List of birds of Ohio facts for kids

The state of Ohio is home to many different kinds of birds! This list tells you about the birds that have been seen and officially recorded in Ohio. As of December 2023, there are 450 different bird species on Ohio's official list.

Many of these birds actually make their nests and raise their young in Ohio. These are called breeding species. Some birds are "review species," meaning they are rarely seen in Ohio, and their sightings need to be carefully checked. A few birds you might see were brought to North America by people, and some species that used to live here are now gone forever.

This list is organized by how scientists group birds together. You'll see the common name of the bird, like "Canada goose," and then its scientific name, like Branta canadensis.

Here are some special tags you'll see:

• (B) Breeding - This bird has been confirmed to nest in Ohio.
• (R) Review list - This bird is rarely seen in Ohio, and its sighting needs to be officially checked.
• (I) Introduced - This bird was brought to North America by people.
• (E) Extinct - This bird no longer exists anywhere in the world.
• (extirpated) - This bird no longer lives in Ohio, but it still exists in other places.

Ducks, Geese, and Swans: Water Birds!

Order: Anseriformes   Family: Anatidae

This big bird family includes ducks, geese, and swans. These birds are super good at living in water! They have webbed feet to help them swim, and their feathers are waterproof thanks to special oils. Forty-three different kinds of these water birds have been seen in Ohio.

• Black-bellied whistling-duck, Dendrocygna autumnalis
• Fulvous whistling-duck, Dendrocygna bicolor (R)
• Snow goose, Anser caerulescens
• Ross's goose, Anser rossii
• Greater white-fronted goose, Anser albifrons
• Brant, Branta bernicla
• Cackling goose, Branta hutchinsii
• Canada goose, Branta canadensis (B)
• Mute swan, Cygnus olor (I) (B)
• Trumpeter swan, Cygnus buccinator (B)
• Tundra swan, Cygnus columbianus
• Wood duck, Aix sponsa (B)
• Blue-winged teal, Spatula discors (B)
• Northern shoveler, Spatula clypeata (B)
• Gadwall, Mareca strepera
• American wigeon, Mareca americana
• Mallard, Anas platyrhynchos (B)
• American black duck, Anas rubripens
• Northern pintail, Anas acuta (B)
• Green-winged teal, Anas crecca (B)
• Canvasback, Aythya valisineria (B)
• Redhead, Aythya americana (B)
• Ring-necked duck, Aythya collaris
• Greater scaup, Aythya marila
• Lesser scaup, Aythya affinis (B)
• Harlequin duck, Histrionicus histrionicus
• Surf scoter, Melanitta perspicillata
• White-winged scoter, Melanitta deglandi
• Black scoter, Melanitta americana
• Long-tailed duck, Clangula hyemalis
• Bufflehead, Bucephala albeola
• Common goldeneye, Bucephala clangula
• Hooded merganser, Lophodytes cucullatus (B)
• Common merganser, Mergus merganser (B)
• Red-breasted merganser, Mergus serrator
• Ruddy duck, Oxyura jamaicensis (B)

Quails: Small Ground Birds

Order: Galliformes   Family: Odontophoridae

New World quails are small, round birds that live on the ground. They are not closely related to quails from other parts of the world, but they look and act similarly. Only one type of quail has been recorded in Ohio.

• Northern bobwhite, Colinus virginianus (B)

Pheasants and Grouse: Game Birds

Order: Galliformes   Family: Phasianidae

This family includes pheasants and grouse. These birds live on the ground and can be different sizes, but they are usually plump with wide, short wings. Many of them are hunted for sport or raised for food. Five species have been recorded in Ohio.

• Wild turkey, Meleagris gallopavo (B)
• Ruffed grouse, Bonasa umbellus (B)
• Greater prairie-chicken, Tympanuchus cupido (extirpated)
• Gray partridge, Perdix perdix (I) (extirpated)
• Ring-necked pheasant, Phasianus colchicus (I) (B)

Flamingoes: Pink Wading Birds

Order: Phoenicopteriformes   Family: Phoenicopteridae

Flamingoes are tall, social birds that wade in water. They can be about 3 to 5 feet tall! They eat shellfish and algae by filtering them from the water with their unique, upside-down beaks. One flamingo species has been seen in Ohio.

• American flamingo, Phoenicopterus ruber (R)

Grebes: Diving Birds

Order: Podicipediformes   Family: Podicipedidae

Grebes are small to medium-sized birds that dive in freshwater. They have special lobed toes that make them excellent swimmers and divers. However, their feet are set far back on their bodies, which makes them clumsy on land. Five species have been recorded in Ohio.

• Pied-billed grebe, Podilymbus podiceps (B)
• Horned grebe, Podiceps auritus
• Red-necked grebe, Podiceps grisegena
• Eared grebe, Podiceps nigricollis
• Western grebe, Aechmorphorus occidentalis (R)

Pigeons and Doves: Common Birds

Order: Columbiformes   Family: Columbidae

Pigeons and doves are birds with sturdy bodies, short necks, and thin bills. Six different kinds of these birds have been seen in Ohio.

• Rock pigeon, Columba livia (I)(B)
• Eurasian collared-dove, Streptopelia decaocto (I)(B)
• Passenger pigeon, Ectopistes migratorius (E)
• Common ground dove, Columbina passerina (R)
• White-winged dove, Zenaida asiatica
• Mourning dove, Zenaida macroura (B)

Cuckoos: Long-tailed Birds

Order: Cuculiformes   Family: Cuculidae

The cuckoo family includes cuckoos, roadrunners, and anis. These birds have slender bodies, long tails, and strong legs. Four species have been recorded in Ohio.

• Smooth-billed ani, Crotophaga ani (R)
• Groove-billed ani, Crotophaga sulcirostris (R)
• Yellow-billed cuckoo, Coccyzus americanus (B)
• Black-billed cuckoo, Coccyzus erythropthalmus (B)

Nightjars: Nighttime Hunters

Order: Caprimulgiformes   Family: Caprimulgidae

Nightjars are medium-sized birds that are active at night. They usually nest on the ground. They have long wings, short legs, and very small bills. Their soft feathers are colored to help them blend in with tree bark or leaves. Three species have been recorded in Ohio.

• Common nighthawk, Chordeiles minor (B)
• Chuck-will's-widow, Antrostomus carolinensis (B)
• Eastern whip-poor-will, Antrostomus vociferus (B)

Swifts: Birds That Love to Fly

Order: Apodiformes   Family: Apodidae

Swifts are small birds that spend most of their lives flying. They have very short legs and almost never land on the ground. Instead, they perch on vertical surfaces. Many swifts have long, swept-back wings that look like a crescent moon. Two species have been recorded in Ohio.

• Chimney swift, Chaetura pelagica (B)
• White-throated swift, Aeronautes saxatalis (R)

Hummingbirds: Tiny, Fast Fliers

Order: Apodiformes   Family: Trochilidae

Hummingbirds are tiny birds that can hover in the air by flapping their wings super fast. They are the only birds that can fly backward! Eight different kinds of hummingbirds have been seen in Ohio.

• Mexican violetear, Colibri thalassinus (R)
• Ruby-throated hummingbird, Archilochus colubris (B)
• Black-chinned hummingbird, Archilochus alexandri (R)
• Anna's hummingbird, Calypte anna (R)
• Calliope hummingbird, Selasphorus calliope (R)
• Rufous hummingbird, Selasphorus rufus
• Allen's hummingbird, Selasphorus sasin (R)
• Broad-billed hummingbird, Cynanthus latirostris (R)

Rails, Gallinules, and Coots: Shy Water Birds

Order: Gruiformes   Family: Rallidae

This is a big family of small to medium-sized birds that includes rails, crakes, coots, and gallinules. Most of them live in thick plants near lakes, swamps, or rivers. They are usually shy and hard to spot. They have strong legs and long toes, which are great for walking on soft, uneven ground. Eight species have been recorded in Ohio.

• King rail, Rallus elegans (B)
• Virginia rail, Rallus limicola (B)
• Sora, Porzana carolina (B)
• Common gallinule, Gallinula galeata (B)
• American coot, Fulica americana (B)
• Purple gallinule, Porphyrio martinicus (B) (R)
• Yellow rail, Coturnicops noveboracensis
• Black rail, Laterallus jamaicensis (R)

Limpkin: A Unique Wading Bird

Order: Gruiformes   Family: Aramidae

The Limpkin is a unique bird that looks a bit like a large rail, but it's more closely related to cranes. It lives in marshes with some trees or bushes. One species has been recorded in Ohio.

• Limpkin, Aramus guarauna (R)

Cranes: Tall and Graceful Birds

Order: Gruiformes   Family: Gruidae

Cranes are large birds with long legs and long necks. When they fly, their necks are stretched out, which is different from herons, who pull their necks back. Many cranes have fancy and noisy courtship dances! Two species have been recorded in Ohio.

• Sandhill crane, Antigone canadensis (B)
• Whooping crane, Grus americana (R)

Stilts and Avocets: Long-legged Waders

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Recurvirostridae

This family includes avocets and stilts. They are large wading birds. Avocets have long legs and bills that curve upwards. Stilts have extremely long legs and long, thin, straight bills. Two species have been recorded in Ohio.

• Black-necked stilt, Himantopus mexicanus (B)
• American avocet, Recurvirostra americana

Plovers and Lapwings: Shoreline Birds

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Charadriidae

This family includes plovers and lapwings. They are small to medium-sized birds with compact bodies, short thick necks, and long, pointed wings. You can find them in open areas around the world, especially near water. Eight species have been recorded in Ohio.

• Northern lapwing, Vanellus vanellus (R)
• Black-bellied plover, Pluvialis squatarola
• American golden-plover, Pluvialis dominica
• Killdeer, Charadrius vociferus (B)
• Semipalmated plover, Charadrius semipalmatus
• Piping plover, Charadrius melodus
• Wilson's plover, Charadrius wilsonia (R)
• Snowy plover, Charadrius nivosus (R)

Sandpipers and Allies: Diverse Shorebirds

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Scolopacidae

This is a large and varied family of small to medium-sized shorebirds. It includes sandpipers, curlews, godwits, and snipes. Most of these birds eat small bugs they find in mud or soil. They have different leg and bill lengths, which allows many species to feed in the same areas without competing for food. Thirty-seven species have been recorded in Ohio.

• Upland sandpiper, Bartramia longicauda (B)
• Whimbrel, Numenius phaeopus
• Eskimo curlew, Numenius borealis (E?) (R)
• Long-billed curlew, Numenius americanus (R)
• Hudsonian godwit, Limosa haemastica
• Marbled godwit, Limosa fedoa
• Ruddy turnstone, Arenaria interpres
• Red knot, Calidris canutus
• Ruff, Calidris pugnax
• Stilt sandpiper, Calidris himantopus
• Sanderling, Calidris alba
• Dunlin, Calidris alpina
• Purple sandpiper, Calidris maritima
• Baird's sandpiper, Calidris bairdii
• Least sandpiper, Calidris minutilla
• White-rumped sandpiper, Calidris fuscicollis
• Buff-breasted sandpiper, Calidris subruficollis
• Pectoral sandpiper, Calidris melanotos
• Semipalmated sandpiper, Calidris pusilla
• Western sandpiper, Calidris mauri
• Short-billed dowitcher, Limnodromus griseus
• Long-billed dowitcher, Limnodromus scolopaceus
• American woodcock, Scolopax minor (B)
• Wilson's snipe, Gallinago delicata (B)
• Spotted sandpiper, Actitis macularia (B)
• Solitary sandpiper, Tringa solitaria
• Lesser yellowlegs, Tringa flavipes
• Willet, Tringa semipalmata
• Greater yellowlegs, Tringa melanoleuca
• Wilson's phalarope, Phalaropus tricolor (B)
• Red-necked phalarope, Phalaropus lobatus
• Red phalarope, Phalaropus fulicarius

Skuas and Jaegers: Strong Fliers

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Stercorariidae

Skuas and jaegers are medium to large birds, usually gray or brown. They have long bills with hooked tips and webbed feet with sharp claws. They look like large, dark gulls but are very strong and agile fliers. Three species have been recorded in Ohio.

• Pomarine jaeger, Stercorarius pomarinus
• Parasitic jaeger, Stercorarius parasiticus
• Long-tailed jaeger, Stercorarius longicaudus

Auks, Murres, and Puffins: Ocean Birds

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Alcidae

This family includes auks, murres, and puffins. These birds have short wings and live on the open ocean, only coming to land to breed. Five species have been recorded in Ohio.

• Thick-billed murre, Uria lomvia (R)
• Black guillemot, Cepphus grylle (R)
• Long-billed murrelet, Brachyramphus perdix (R)
• Ancient murrelet, Synthliboarmphus antiquus (R)
• Atlantic puffin, Fratercula arctica (R)

Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers: Coastal Birds

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Laridae

This family includes gulls, terns, and skimmers. They are medium to large seabirds, typically gray or white with black markings. They have strong, longish bills and webbed feet. Thirty-two species have been recorded in Ohio.

• Black-legged kittiwake, Rissa tridactyla
• Ivory gull, Pagophila eburnea (R)
• Sabine's gull, Xema sabini
• Bonaparte's gull, Chroicocephalus philadelphia
• Black-headed gull, Chroicocephalus ridibundus
• Little gull, Hydrocoleus minutus
• Ross's gull, Rhodostethia rosea (R)
• Laughing gull, Leucophaeus atricilla
• Franklin's gull, Leucophaeus pipixcan
• Black-tailed gull, Larus crassirostris (R)
• Heermann's gull, Larus heermanni (R)
• Common gull, Larus canus (R)
• Short-billed gull, Larus brachyrhynchus (R)
• Ring-billed gull, Larus delawarensis (B)
• California gull, Larus californicus
• Herring gull, Larus argentatus (B)
• Iceland gull, Larus glaucoides
• Lesser black-backed gull, Larus fuscus
• Slaty-backed gull, Larus schistisagus (R)
• Glaucous-winged gull, Larus glaucescens (R)
• Glaucous gull, Larus hyperboreus
• Great black-backed gull, Larus marinus
• Kelp gull, Larus dominicanus (R)
• Sooty tern, Onychoprion fuscatus (R)
• Least tern, Sternula antillarum
• Large-billed tern, Phaetusa simplex (R)
• Caspian tern, Hydroprogne caspia
• Black tern, Chlidonias niger (B)
• Common tern, Sterna hirundo (B)
• Arctic tern, Sterna paradisaea (R)
• Forster's tern, Sterna forsteri
• Royal tern, Thalasseus maximus (R)

Loons: Diving Water Birds

Order: Gaviiformes   Family: Gaviidae

Loons are aquatic birds, about the size of a large duck, but they are not related to ducks. They are mostly gray or black and have bills shaped like spears. Loons are excellent swimmers and good fliers, but they are very clumsy on land because their legs are placed far back on their bodies. Four species have been recorded in Ohio.

• Red-throated loon, Gavia stellata
• Arctic loon, Gavia arctica (R)
• Pacific loon, Gavia pacifica
• Common loon, Gavia immer

Storm-Petrels: Small Seabirds

Order: Procellariiformes   Family: Hydrobatidae

Storm-petrels are the smallest seabirds. They are related to petrels and eat tiny crustaceans and small fish from the water's surface, often while hovering. Their flight is fluttery, sometimes like a bat. One species has been recorded in Ohio.

• Leach's storm-petrel, Hydrobates leucorhous (R)

Shearwaters and Petrels: Ocean Wanderers

Order: Procellariiformes   Family: Procellariidae

This group includes medium-sized "true petrels." They have nostrils that are joined together and a long outer wing feather that works well for flying. One species has been recorded in Ohio.

• Black-capped petrel, Pterodroma hasitata (R)

Storks: Large Wading Birds

Order: Ciconiiformes   Family: Ciconiidae

Storks are large, heavy wading birds with long legs, long necks, and long, strong bills. They have wide wingspans. Storks do not have a voice box, so they are mute. One species has been recorded in Ohio.

• Wood stork, Mycteria americana (R)

Frigatebirds: Masters of the Air

Order: Suliformes   Family: Fregatidae

Frigatebirds are large seabirds usually found over tropical oceans. They are mostly black, with long wings and deeply forked tails. The males have colorful throat pouches that they can inflate. They don't swim or walk well and can't take off from a flat surface. They have the largest wingspan compared to their body weight of any bird, and they can stay in the air for more than a week! One species has been recorded in Ohio.

• Magnificent frigatebird, Fregata magnificens (R)

Boobies and Gannets: Plunge Divers

Order: Suliformes   Family: Sulidae

This family includes gannets and boobies. Both are medium-large coastal seabirds that dive headfirst into the water to catch fish. Two species have been recorded in Ohio.

• Brown booby, Sula leucogaster (R)
• Northern gannet, Morus bassanus (R)

Anhingas: Snake-like Swimmers

Order: Suliformes   Family: Anhingidae

Anhingas are water birds that look a lot like cormorants. They have very long necks and long, straight beaks. They eat fish and often swim with only their neck above the water, making them look like a snake! One species has been recorded in Ohio.

• Anhinga, Anhinga anhinga (R)

Cormorants and Shags: Dark Water Birds

Order: Suliformes   Family: Phalacrocoracidae

Cormorants are medium to large aquatic birds, usually with mostly dark feathers and colorful skin around their faces. Their bills are long, thin, and sharply hooked. They have four webbed toes. Three species have been recorded in Ohio.

• Great cormorant, Phalacrocorax carbo (R)
• Double-crested cormorant, Nannopterum auritum (B)
• Neotropic cormorant, Nannopterum brasilianum

Pelicans: Birds with Big Pouches

Order: Pelecaniformes   Family: Pelecanidae

Pelicans are very large water birds with a special pouch under their beak. Like other birds in their group, they have four webbed toes. Two species have been recorded in Ohio.

• American white pelican, Pelecanus erythrorhynchos
• Brown pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis

Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns: Wading Birds

Order: Pelecaniformes   Family: Ardeidae

This family includes herons, egrets, and bitterns. Herons and egrets are medium to large wading birds with long necks and legs. Bitterns tend to have shorter necks and are more secretive. When they fly, herons and egrets pull their necks back, unlike storks or ibises. Twelve species have been recorded in Ohio.

• American bittern, Botaurus lentiginosus (B)
• Least bittern, Ixobrychus exilis (B)
• Great blue heron, Ardea herodias (B)
• Great egret, Ardea alba (B)
• Snowy egret, Egretta thula (B)
• Little blue heron, Egretta caerulea (B)
• Tricolored heron, Egretta tricolor (R)
• Reddish egret, Egretta rufescens (R)
• Cattle egret, Bubulcus ibis (B)
• Green heron, Butorides virescens (B)
• Black-crowned night-heron, Nycticorax nycticorax (B)
• Yellow-crowned night-heron, Nyctanassa violacea (B)

Ibises and Spoonbills: Unique Bills

Order: Pelecaniformes   Family: Threskiornithidae

This family includes ibises and spoonbills. They have long, wide wings and long bodies with long legs. Their bills are also long; ibises have bills that curve downwards, while spoonbills have bills that are straight and flattened like a spoon. Four species have been recorded in Ohio.

• White ibis, Eudocimus albus (R)
• Glossy ibis, Plegadis falcinellus
• White-faced ibis, Plegadis chihi
• Roseate spoonbill, Platalea ajaja (R)

New World Vultures: Nature's Clean-up Crew

Order: Cathartiformes   Family: Cathartidae

New World vultures are not closely related to vultures from other parts of the world, but they look similar because they adapted to the same lifestyle. Like other vultures, they are scavengers, meaning they eat dead animals. Unlike Old World vultures, New World vultures have a great sense of smell to find carcasses. Two species have been recorded in Ohio.

• Black vulture, Coragyps atratus (B)
• Turkey vulture, Cathartes aura (B)

Osprey: The Fish Hawk

Order: Accipitriformes   Family: Pandionidae

The Osprey is the only species in its family. It's a bird of prey that eats fish. It has a very large and strong hooked beak, powerful legs, sharp talons, and excellent eyesight.

• Osprey, Pandion haliaetus (B)

Hawks, Eagles, and Kites: Powerful Hunters

Order: Accipitriformes   Family: Accipitridae

This family includes hawks, eagles, kites, and harriers. These birds of prey have very large, strong, hooked beaks for tearing meat from their prey. They also have strong legs, powerful talons, and sharp eyesight. Sixteen species have been recorded in Ohio.

• White-tailed kite, Elanus leucurus (R)
• Swallow-tailed kite, Elanoides forficatus (extirpated)
• Golden eagle, Aquila chrysaetos
• Northern harrier, Circus hudsonius (B)
• Sharp-shinned hawk, Accipiter striatus (B)
• Cooper's hawk, Accipiter cooperii (B)
• American goshawk, Accipiter atricapillis (R)
• Bald eagle, Haliaeetus leucocephalus (B)
• Mississippi kite, Ictinia mississippiensis (B)
• Harris's hawk, Parabuteo unicinctus (R)
• Red-shouldered hawk, Buteo lineatus (B)
• Broad-winged hawk, Buteo platypterus (B)
• Swainson's hawk, Buteo swainsoni (R)
• Red-tailed hawk, Buteo jamaicensis (B)
• Rough-legged hawk, Buteo lagopus
• Ferruginous hawk, Buteo regalis (R)

Barn-Owls: Heart-faced Hunters

Order: Strigiformes   Family: Tytonidae

Barn-owls are medium to large owls with big heads and a special heart-shaped face. They have long, strong legs with powerful talons. One species has been recorded in Ohio.

• Barn owl, Tyto alba (B)

Owls: Nighttime Predators

Order: Strigiformes   Family: Strigidae

Typical owls are usually solitary birds of prey that are active at night. They have large eyes that face forward and good hearing. They have a hawk-like beak and a clear circle of feathers around each eye called a facial disk. Eleven species have been recorded in Ohio.

• Eastern screech-owl, Megascops asio (B)
• Great horned owl, Bubo virginianus (B)
• Snowy owl, Bubo scandiacus
• Northern hawk owl, Surnia ulula (R)
• Burrowing owl, Athene cunicularia (R)
• Barred owl, Strix varia (B)
• Great gray owl, Strix nebulosa (R)
• Long-eared owl, Asio otus
• Short-eared owl, Asio flammeus
• Boreal owl, Aegolius funereus (R)
• Northern saw-whet owl, Aegolius acadicus (B)

Kingfishers: Fisher Birds

Order: Coraciiformes   Family: Alcedinidae

Kingfishers are medium-sized birds with large heads, long, pointed bills, short legs, and short tails. One species has been recorded in Ohio.

• Belted kingfisher, Megaceryle alcyon (B)

Woodpeckers: Tree Tappers

Order: Piciformes   Family: Picidae

Woodpeckers are small to medium-sized birds with chisel-like beaks, short legs, stiff tails, and long tongues that they use to catch insects. Many woodpeckers tap loudly on tree trunks with their beaks. Eleven species have been recorded in Ohio.

• Red-headed woodpecker, Melanerpes erythrocephalus (B)
• Red-bellied woodpecker, Melanerpes carolinus (B)
• Yellow-bellied sapsucker, Sphyrapicus varius (B)
• Red-naped sapsucker, Sphyrapicus nuchalis (R)
• Black-backed woodpecker, Picoides arcticus (R)
• Downy woodpecker, Dryobates pubescens (B)
• Red-cockaded woodpecker, Dryobates borealis (R)
• Hairy woodpecker, Dryobates villosus (B)
• Northern flicker, Colaptes auratus (B)
• Pileated woodpecker, Dryocopus pileatus (B)
• Ivory-billed woodpecker, Campephilus principalis (E?)

Falcons and Caracaras: Fast Predators

Order: Falconiformes   Family: Falconidae

This family includes falcons and caracaras. They are birds of prey that are active during the day. They are different from hawks and eagles because they kill their prey with their beaks instead of their talons. Six species have been recorded in Ohio.

• Crested caracara, Caracara plancus (R)
• American kestrel, Falco sparverius (B)
• Merlin, Falco columbarius (B)
• Gyrfalcon, Falco rusticolus (R)
• Peregrine falcon, Falco peregrinus (B)
• Prairie falcon, Falco mexicanus (R)

New World and African Parrots: Colorful Birds

Order: Psittaciformes   Family: Psittacidae

Parrots have strong, curved bills, stand upright, and have strong legs with clawed feet that can grasp things. Many parrots are brightly colored. One species has been recorded in Ohio.

• Carolina parakeet, Conuropsis carolinensis (E)

Tyrant Flycatchers: Insect Eaters

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Tyrannidae

Tyrant flycatchers are songbirds found throughout North and South America. They look a bit like flycatchers from other parts of the world but are stronger and have sturdier bills. Most of them eat insects. Twenty species have been recorded in Ohio.

• Ash-throated flycatcher, Myiarchus ceneracens (R)
• Great crested flycatcher, Myiarchus crinitus (B)
• Tropical kingbird, Tyrannus melancholicus (R)
• Western kingbird, Tyrannus verticalis
• Eastern kingbird, Tyrannus tyrannus (B)
• Gray kingbird, Tyrannus dominicensis (R)
• Scissor-tailed flycatcher, Tyrannus forficatus (R)
• Olive-sided flycatcher, Contopus cooperi
• Eastern wood-pewee, Contopus virens (B)
• Yellow-bellied flycatcher, Empidonax flaviventris
• Acadian flycatcher, Empidonax virescens (B)
• Alder flycatcher, Empidonax alnorum (B)
• Willow flycatcher, Empidonax traillii (B)
• Least flycatcher, Empidonax minimus (B)
• Gray flycatcher, Empidonax wrightii (R)
• Dusky flycatcher, Empidonax oberholseri (R)
• Western flycatcher, Empidonax difficilis (R)
• Eastern phoebe, Sayornis phoebe (B)
• Say's phoebe, Sayornis saya (R)
• Vermilion flycatcher, Pyrocephalus rubinus (R)

Vireos: Small Greenish Birds

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Vireonidae

Vireos are a group of small to medium-sized songbirds. They are usually greenish and look a bit like wood warblers, but they have stronger bills. Seven species have been recorded in Ohio.

• White-eyed vireo, Vireo griseus (B)
• Bell's vireo, Vireo bellii (B)
• Yellow-throated vireo, Vireo flavifrons (B)
• Blue-headed vireo, Vireo solitarius (B)
• Philadelphia vireo, Vireo philadelphicus
• Warbling vireo, Vireo gilvus (B)
• Red-eyed vireo, Vireo olivaceus (B)

Shrikes: "Butcher Birds"

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Laniidae

Shrikes are songbirds known for catching other birds and small animals and sticking them on thorns or barbed wire. A shrike's beak is hooked, like a bird of prey. Two species have been recorded in Ohio.

• Loggerhead shrike, Lanius ludovicianus (B) (R)
• Northern shrike, Lanius borealis

Crows, Jays, and Magpies: Smart Birds

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Corvidae

This family includes crows, ravens, jays, and magpies. Corvids are larger than average songbirds, and some of the bigger ones are very intelligent. Five species have been recorded in Ohio.

• Blue jay, Cyanocitta cristata (B)
• Black-billed magpie, Pica hudsonia (R)
• American crow, Corvus brachyrhynchos (B)
• Fish crow, Corvus ossifragus (B)
• Common raven, Corvus corax (B)

Tits, Chickadees, and Titmice: Small Woodland Birds

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Paridae

The Paridae family includes small, stocky woodland birds with short, strong bills. Some have crests on their heads. They are adaptable and eat a mix of seeds and insects. Four species have been recorded in Ohio.

• Carolina chickadee, Poecile carolinensis (B)
• Black-capped chickadee, Poecile atricapilla (B)
• Boreal chickadee, Poecile hudsonica (R)
• Tufted titmouse, Baeolophus bicolor (B)

Larks: Ground Birds with Songs

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Alaudidae

Larks are small birds that live on the ground. They often have amazing songs and display flights. Most larks look quite plain. They eat insects and seeds. One species has been recorded in Ohio.

• Horned lark, Eremophila alpestris (B)

Swallows: Aerial Feeders

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Hirundinidae

The swallow family is adapted for catching food while flying. They have slender bodies, long, pointed wings, and short bills with wide mouths. Their feet are better for perching than walking. Eight species have been recorded in Ohio.

• Bank swallow, Riparia riparia (B)
• Tree swallow, Tachycineta bicolor (B)
• Violet-green swallow, Tachycineta thalassina (R)
• Northern rough-winged swallow, Stelgidopteryx serripennis (B)
• Purple martin, Progne subis (B)
• Barn swallow, Hirundo rustica (B)
• Cliff swallow, Petrochelidon pyrrhonota (B)
• Cave swallow, Petrochelidon fulva (R)

Kinglets: Tiny Crowned Birds

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Regulidae

Kinglets are a small family of birds that look like titmice. They are very small birds that eat insects. Adult kinglets have colorful crowns on their heads, which gives them their name. Two species have been recorded in Ohio.

• Ruby-crowned kinglet, Corthylio calendula
• Golden-crowned kinglet, Regulus satrapa (B)

Waxwings: Silky Plumage and Berries

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Bombycillidae

Waxwings are a group of songbirds with soft, silky feathers and unique red tips on some of their wing feathers. These tips look like sealing wax, which is how they got their name. These birds live in northern forests and eat insects in summer and berries in winter. Two species have been recorded in Ohio.

• Bohemian waxwing, Bombycilla garrulus (R)
• Cedar waxwing, Bombycilla cedrorum (B)

Nuthatches: Head-first Climbers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Sittidae

Nuthatches are small woodland birds. They have a special ability to climb down trees headfirst, which is unusual for birds. Nuthatches have big heads, short tails, and strong bills and feet. Three species have been recorded in Ohio.

• Red-breasted nuthatch, Sitta canadensis (B)
• White-breasted nuthatch, Sitta carolinensis (B)
• Brown-headed nuthatch, Sitta pusilla (R)

Treecreepers: Bark Foragers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Certhiidae

Treecreepers are small woodland birds, brown on top and white underneath. They have thin, pointed, down-curved bills that they use to pull insects out of tree bark. They have stiff tail feathers, like woodpeckers, which help them support themselves on vertical trees. One species has been recorded in Ohio.

• Brown creeper, Certhia americana (B)

Gnatcatchers: Dainty Insect Hunters

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Polioptilidae

These delicate birds look like Old World warblers in how they are built and how they act. They move around restlessly through leaves, looking for insects. Gnatcatchers are mostly soft bluish-gray and have the typical long, sharp bill of an insect-eating bird. One species has been recorded in Ohio.

• Blue-gray gnatcatcher, Polioptila caerulea (B)

Wrens: Small Birds with Loud Songs

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Troglodytidae

Wrens are small and often hard to see, but they have very loud songs! They have short wings and thin, down-curved bills. Several species often hold their tails straight up. All wrens eat insects. Seven species have been recorded in Ohio.

• Rock wren, Salpinctes obsoletus (R)
• Bewick's wren, Thryomanes bewickii (R)
• Carolina wren, Thryothorus ludovicianus (B)
• House wren, Troglodytes aedon (B)
• Winter wren, Troglodytes hiemalis (B)
• Sedge wren, Cistothorus platensis (B)
• Marsh wren, Cistothorus palustris (B)

Mockingbirds and Thrashers: Amazing Mimics

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Mimidae

This family includes thrashers, mockingbirds, and catbirds. These birds are famous for their singing, especially their amazing ability to copy the sounds of many other birds and outdoor noises. They tend to be dull gray and brown in color. Three species have been recorded in Ohio.

• Gray catbird, Dumetella carolinensis (B)
• Brown thrasher, Toxostoma rufum (B)
• Northern mockingbird, Mimus polyglottos (B)

Starlings: Social Birds

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Sturnidae

Starlings are small to medium-sized songbirds with strong feet. They fly strongly and directly and are very social, often gathering in large groups. They prefer open areas and eat insects and fruit. Their feathers are usually dark with a metallic shine. One species has been recorded in Ohio.

• European starling, Sturnus vulgaris (I)(B)

Thrushes: Ground Feeders with Lovely Songs

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Turdidae

Thrushes are a group of songbirds that are plump and have soft feathers. They are small to medium-sized birds that eat insects or sometimes everything (omnivores), often finding food on the ground. Many of them have beautiful songs. Ten species have been recorded in Ohio.

• Eastern bluebird, Sialia sialis (B)
• Mountain bluebird, Sialia currucoides (R)
• Townsend's solitaire, Myadestes townsendi (R)
• Veery, Catharus fuscescens (B)
• Gray-cheeked thrush, Catharus minimus
• Swainson's thrush, Catharus ustulatus
• Hermit thrush, Catharus guttatus (B)
• Wood thrush, Hylocichla mustelina (B)
• American robin, Turdus migratorius (B)
• Varied thrush, Ixoreus naevius

Old World Flycatchers: Insect Eaters

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Muscicapidae

Old World flycatchers are a large family of small songbirds. These are mainly small birds that live in trees and eat insects, often catching their prey in mid-air. One species has been recorded in Ohio.

• Northern wheatear, Oenanthe oenanthe (R)

Old World Sparrows: Common Seed Eaters

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Passeridae

Old World sparrows are small songbirds. Generally, sparrows are small, plump, brownish or grayish birds with short tails and strong, short beaks. Sparrows eat seeds, but they also eat small insects. Two species have been recorded in Ohio.

• House sparrow, Passer domesticus (I) (B)
• Eurasian tree sparrow, Passer montanus (I) (R)

Wagtails and Pipits: Ground-Feeding Insectivores

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Motacillidae

This family includes wagtails and pipits. They are small songbirds with medium to long tails. They are slender birds that feed on insects on the ground in open areas. Two species have been recorded in Ohio.

• American pipit, Anthus rubescens
• Sprague's pipit, Anthus spragueii (R)

Finches: Seed-Eating Songbirds

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Fringillidae

Finches are songbirds that eat seeds. They are small to medium-sized and have strong, usually cone-shaped beaks. All finches have twelve tail feathers and nine primary wing feathers. These birds have a bouncy flight, and most sing well. Thirteen species have been recorded in Ohio.

• Brambling, Fringilla montifringilla (R)
• Evening grosbeak, Coccothraustes vespertinus
• Pine grosbeak, Pinicola enucleator (R)
• Gray-crowned rosy-finch, Leucosticte tephrocotis (R)
• House finch, Haemorhous mexicanus (B) (Native to the southwestern US; introduced in the east)
• Purple finch, Haemorhous purpureus (B)
• Common redpoll, Acanthis flammea
• Hoary redpoll, Acanthis hornemanni (R)
• Red crossbill, Loxia curvirostra
• White-winged crossbill, Loxia leucoptera
• Pine siskin, Spinus pinus (B)
• American goldfinch, Spinus tristis (B)

Longspurs and Snow Buntings: Open Field Birds

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Calcariidae

This group of songbirds used to be grouped with New World sparrows, but they are different in many ways and are usually found in open grassy areas. Four species have been recorded in Ohio.

• Lapland longspur, Calcarius lapponicus
• Chestnut-collared longspur, Calcarius ornatus (R)
• Smith's longspur, Calcarius pictus
• Snow bunting, Plectrophenax nivalis

New World Sparrows: Diverse Songbirds

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Passerellidae

Most of the birds in this family are called sparrows, but they are not closely related to the Old World sparrows. Many of these birds have unique patterns on their heads. Twenty-nine species have been recorded in Ohio.

• Cassin's sparrow, Peucaea cassinii (R)
• Bachman's sparrow, Peucaea aestivalis (R) (extirpated)
• Grasshopper sparrow, Ammodramus savannarum (B)
• Black-throated sparrow, Amphispiza bilineata (R)
• Lark sparrow, Chondestes grammacus (B)
• Lark bunting, Calamospiza melanocorys (R)
• Chipping sparrow, Spizella passerina (B)
• Clay-colored sparrow, Spizella pallida (B)
• Field sparrow, Spizella pusilla (B)
• Brewer's sparrow, Spizella breweri (R)
• Fox sparrow, Passerella iliaca
• American tree sparrow, Spizelloides arborea
• Dark-eyed junco, Junco hyemalis (B)
• White-crowned sparrow, Zonotrichia leucophrys
• Golden-crowned sparrow, Zonotrichia atricapilla (R)
• Harris's sparrow, Zonotrichia querula
• White-throated sparrow, Zonotrichia albicollis
• Vesper sparrow, Pooecetes gramineus (B)
• LeConte's sparrow, Ammospiza leconteii
• Nelson's sparrow, Ammospiza nelsoni
• Baird's sparrow, Centronyx bairdii (R)
• Henslow's sparrow, Centronyx henslowii (B)
• Savannah sparrow, Passerculus sandwichensis (B)
• Song sparrow, Melospiza melodia (B)
• Lincoln's sparrow, Melospiza lincolnii
• Swamp sparrow, Melospiza georgiana (B)
• Green-tailed towhee, Pipilo chlorurus (R)
• Spotted towhee, Pipilo maculatus (R)
• Eastern towhee, Pipilo erythrophthalmus (B)

Yellow-breasted Chat: A Unique Bird

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Icteriidae

This bird used to be grouped with the wood-warblers, but scientists decided it was unique enough to have its own family in 2017.

• Yellow-breasted chat, Icteria virens

Troupials and Allies: Colorful New World Birds

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Icteridae

This group includes grackles, New World blackbirds, and New World orioles. They are small to medium-sized, often colorful songbirds found only in the Americas. Most species are mainly black, often with bright yellow, orange, or red colors. Fourteen species have been recorded in Ohio.

• Yellow-headed blackbird, Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus (B)
• Bobolink, Dolichonyx oryzivorus (B)
• Eastern meadowlark, Sturnella magna (B)
• Western meadowlark, Sturnella neglecta (B)
• Orchard oriole, Icterus spurius (B)
• Hooded oriole, Icterus cucullatus (R)
• Bullock's oriole, Icterus bullockii (R)
• Baltimore oriole, Icterus galbula (B)
• Red-winged blackbird, Agelaius phoeniceus (B)
• Brown-headed cowbird, Molothrus ater (B)
• Rusty blackbird, Euphagus carolinus
• Brewer's blackbird, Euphagus cyanocephalus
• Common grackle, Quiscalus quiscula (B)
• Great-tailed grackle, Quiscalus mexicanus (R)

New World Warblers: Small and Colorful

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Parulidae

Wood-warblers are a group of small and often colorful songbirds found only in the Americas. Most live in trees, but some, like the ovenbird, live more on the ground. Most birds in this family eat insects. Forty species have been recorded in Ohio.

• Ovenbird, Seiurus aurocapilla (B)
• Worm-eating warbler, Helmitheros vermivorus (B)
• Louisiana waterthrush, Parkesia motacilla (B)
• Northern waterthrush, Parkesia noveboracensis (B)
• Golden-winged warbler, Vermivora chrysoptera
• Blue-winged warbler, Vermivora cyanoptera (B)
• Black-and-white warbler, Mniotilta varia (B)
• Prothonotary warbler, Protonotaria citrea (B)
• Swainson's warbler, Limnothlypis swainsonii (R)
• Tennessee warbler, Leiothlypis peregrina
• Orange-crowned warbler, Leiothlypis celata
• Nashville warbler, Leiothlypis ruficapilla (B)
• Connecticut warbler, Oporornis agilis
• Mourning warbler, Geothlypis philadelphia (B)
• Kentucky warbler, Geothlypis formosa (B)
• Common yellowthroat, Geothlypis trichas (B)
• Hooded warbler, Setophaga citrina (B)
• American redstart, Setophaga ruticilla (B)
• Kirtland's warbler, Setophaga kirtlandii
• Cape May warbler, Setophaga tigrina
• Cerulean warbler, Setophaga cerulea (B)
• Northern parula, Setophaga americana (B)
• Magnolia warbler, Setophaga magnolia (B)
• Bay-breasted warbler, Setophaga castanea
• Blackburnian warbler, Setophaga fusca (B)
• Yellow warbler, Setophaga petechia (B)
• Chestnut-sided warbler, Setophaga pensylvanica (B)
• Blackpoll warbler, Setophaga striata
• Black-throated blue warbler, Setophaga caerulescens (B)
• Palm warbler, Setophaga palmarum
• Pine warbler, Setophaga pinus (B)
• Yellow-rumped warbler, Setophaga coronata
• Yellow-throated warbler, Setophaga dominica (B)
• Prairie warbler, Setophaga discolor (B)
• Black-throated gray warbler, Setophaga nigrescens (R)
• Townsend's warbler, Setophaga townsendi (R)
• Black-throated green warbler, Setophaga virens (B)
• Canada warbler, Cardellina canadensis (B)
• Wilson's warbler, Cardellina pusilla
• Painted redstart, Myioborus pictus (R)

Cardinals and Allies: Strong-billed Seed Eaters

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Cardinalidae

The cardinals are a family of sturdy, seed-eating birds with strong bills. They usually live in open woodlands. Males and females often have different colored feathers. Ten species have been recorded in Ohio.

• Summer tanager, Piranga rubra (B)
• Scarlet tanager, Piranga olivacea (B)
• Western tanager, Piranga ludoviciana
• Northern cardinal, Cardinalis cardinalis (B)
• Rose-breasted grosbeak, Pheucticus ludovicianus (B)
• Black-headed grosbeak, Pheucticus melanocephalus (R)
• Blue grosbeak, Passerina caerulea (B)
• Indigo bunting, Passerina cyanea (B)
• Painted bunting, Passerina ciris
• Dickcissel, Spiza americana (B)

Images for kids

• 

  The northern cardinal is the state bird of Ohio.

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  Chestnut-sided warbler

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  Blackburnian warbler

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  Cerulean warbler

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  Prothonotary warbler

See also

• List of birds of Cuyahoga Valley National Park
• List of birds
• Lists of birds by region
• List of mammals of Ohio
• List of North American birds