kids encyclopedia robot

List of birds of Ohio facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

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.

Contents

Ducks, Geese, and Swans: Water Birds!

Branta-canadensis-004
The Canada goose is a common sight in Ohio.
Aythya-collaris-001
The Ring-necked duck has a cool ring on its bill.

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.

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.

Pheasants and Grouse: Game Birds

Gall-dindi
The Wild turkey is a large bird found in Ohio's forests.

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.

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.

Grebes: Diving Birds

Podilymbus-podiceps-001
The Pied-billed grebe is a great diver.

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.

Pigeons and Doves: Common Birds

Mourning Dove on Easter day
The Mourning dove is known for its soft cooing sound.

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.

Cuckoos: Long-tailed Birds

Coccyzus-americanus-001
The Yellow-billed cuckoo is a slender bird.

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.

Nightjars: Nighttime Hunters

Chordeiles minor -British Columbia -Canada-8c
The Common nighthawk hunts insects at dusk.

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.

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.

Hummingbirds: Tiny, Fast Fliers

Juvenile Male Ruby-throated Hummingbird
The Ruby-throated hummingbird is the only hummingbird that regularly breeds in Ohio.

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.

Rails, Gallinules, and Coots: Shy Water Birds

Sora (Porzana carolina)
The Sora is a secretive marsh bird.
Fulica americana3
The American coot is often seen on ponds.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Plovers and Lapwings: Shoreline Birds

Killdeer
The Killdeer is known for its loud call.

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.

Sandpipers and Allies: Diverse Shorebirds

Phalaropus tricolor - breeding female
The Wilson's phalarope is a unique shorebird.

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.

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.

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.

Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers: Coastal Birds

Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) (16622776346)
A Ring-billed gull in Hamilton, Ohio.
Sterna-caspia-010
The Caspian tern is a large tern.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Pelicans: Birds with Big Pouches

Americanwhitepelican75sm
The American white pelican has a large throat pouch.

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.

Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns: Wading Birds

Ardea herodias (great blue heron) (Catawba State Park, Ohio, USA) 2
A Great blue heron at Catawba Island State Park.

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.

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.

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.

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

Accipiter cooperii Quebec
The Cooper's hawk is a quick and agile hunter.

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.

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.

Owls: Nighttime Predators

Barred owl
The Barred owl is known for its "Who cooks for you?" call.

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.

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.

Woodpeckers: Tree Tappers

PileatedWoodpeckerFeedingonTree
The Pileated woodpecker is North America's largest woodpecker.

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.

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.

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.

Tyrant Flycatchers: Insect Eaters

Acadian Flycatcher
The Acadian flycatcher is a small, green-backed bird.

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.

Vireos: Small Greenish Birds

Vireo-flavifrons-001
The Yellow-throated vireo has bright yellow plumage.

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.

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.

Crows, Jays, and Magpies: Smart Birds

Blue Jay Ash RWD5
The Blue jay is a common and noisy bird.

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.

Tits, Chickadees, and Titmice: Small Woodland Birds

Baeolophus bicolor 15
The Tufted titmouse has a distinctive crest.

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.

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.

Swallows: Aerial Feeders

Stelgidopteryx serripennis
The Northern rough-winged swallow has a rough edge on its wings.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Wrens: Small Birds with Loud Songs

Cistothorus palustris CT
The Marsh wren lives in wetlands.

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.

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.

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.

Thrushes: Ground Feeders with Lovely Songs

HermitThrush63
The Hermit thrush has a beautiful, flute-like song.

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.

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.

Old World Sparrows: Common Seed Eaters

Passer domesticus2
The House sparrow is a very common bird.

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.

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.

Finches: Seed-Eating Songbirds

Carduelis flammea CT6
The Common redpoll is a small finch.

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.

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.

New World Sparrows: Diverse Songbirds

Melospiza georgiana MN1
The Swamp sparrow lives in marshy areas.

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.

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.

Troupials and Allies: Colorful New World Birds

Euphagus-carolinus-001
The Rusty blackbird is a medium-sized songbird.

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.

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.

Cardinals and Allies: Strong-billed Seed Eaters

IndigoBuntingonPlant
The Indigo bunting is a small, vibrant blue bird.

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.

Images for kids

See also

kids search engine
List of birds of Ohio Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.